Malaysia to promote proposal for ‘Asean Halal Council’

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (MNTV) – Malaysia will use the Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2026 to promote a ­proposal to establish an Asean Halal Council, with Malaysia proposed as its secretariat, reports The Star.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also chairman of the Halal Industry Development Council, said the matter was decided at a meeting, which focused on strengthening governance, increasing investment and expanding market access for Malaysia’s halal industry.

“Malaysia has also held discussions with Saudi Arabia on the establishment of a World Halal Development Council, which has been proposed to be chaired by Saudi Arabia,” he said in a statement. 

The showcase will be held from Sept 23 to 26 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center.

Ahmad Zahid said the country’s halal industry continued to show strong potential, with the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) increasing 6.1% to reach 7.6% of the country’s GDP, as of June 30.

He said the meeting also agreed to strengthen the facilitation of halal certification for micro, small and medium enterprises through a pilot project in Kampung Baru, including the deployment of Halal Development Officers and integration of local authority licensing systems with MyHalal.

He said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and Halal Development Corporation would also step up promotional efforts for the 14 Halal Malaysia-status Halal Industrial Parks, which currently house 389 active investors.

Ahmad Zahid said he wanted the success of the Negri Sembilan Cottage Halal Initiative, which helped 360 out of 390 entrepreneurs obtain halal certification, to be documented as a national ­reference model.

“I am confident that Malaysia’s halal industry has great potential to continue growing as a driver of the national economy while strengthening Malaysia’s position as a competitive, credible and sustainable Global Halal Hub.”