By Sarafina Christopher
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (NAN) Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr Zahid Hamidi has called for stronger international cooperation to remove barriers and make cross-border halal trade more seamless.
Zahid made the call on Friday at the opening of the Global Halal Summit (GHaS) 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, themed “Shariah and Integrity: Empowering the Global Halal Ecosystem.”
He said businesses in the halal economy continued to face differing requirements, repeated procedures, and difficulties accessing new markets despite growing demand and established national institutions.
Zahid said greater integration of halal markets and regional supply chains was essential to increasing trade and creating opportunities for businesses and workers.
“We must connect our strengths,” he said, urging countries to combine their capabilities rather than operate through fragmented systems.
He said Malaysia brought expertise in standards, governance, Islamic finance and trade facilitation, while Indonesia contributed production capacity, entrepreneurship and a large consumer market.
“Across Asia, our partners bring capabilities that can make the entire region stronger,” he said.
Zahid said international cooperation should translate into practical benefits by facilitating investment, opening markets and creating livelihood opportunities.
“This is the purpose of halal diplomacy: to use the trust we have built to open markets, facilitate investment and create opportunities together,” he said.
He proposed the establishment of the ASEAN Halal Council in Malaysia by September 2027, with a clear mandate and measurable priorities.
He said reduced barriers, easier market access, and more seamless cross-border trade are the outcomes to be used to assess its success.
Zahid also said Malaysia and Indonesia were working towards closer bilateral cooperation through a Malaysia-Indonesia Halal Council, following approval by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
He said the proposed bilateral mechanism could be a platform for identifying ways to reduce duplication and link businesses to regional supply chains.
Zahid disclosed that the two-day Global Halal Summit generated about RM1.2 billion in sales, orders and potential sales.
He said the figure demonstrated the commercial potential of platforms connecting businesses, governments and industry stakeholders across markets.
He said Malaysia’s approach to the halal economy had expanded beyond certification to include standards, trade, investment, innovation, research, finance and market access.
Zahid said exporters needed more than certification, including consistent production, suitable packaging, working capital, reliable logistics and knowledge of target markets.
He added that technology could improve supply chain transparency, while stronger links between universities and industry could provide the technical and professional skills required by the growing sector.
Also speaking, Senator Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hassan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), said Malaysia was strengthening its global halal strategy through the Malaysia Halal Global Nexus.
Zulkifli said the initiative, involving the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, would combine halal governance and standards with international trade promotion.
He said the strategy was to expand international markets, strengthen industry networks, and increase global confidence in Malaysia’s halal products and services.
NAN reports that the summit’s focus on reducing regulatory and trade barriers comes as developing economies seek to integrate small and medium enterprises into regional and global value chains. (NAN)
(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
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