Read: Malaysia's Mihas 2026 targets $1.23 billion in trade as halal showcase opens in Kuala Lumpur

"The winners recognised today have demonstrated the resilience, creativity and forward-thinking capabilities needed to navigate a rapidly changing global marketplace. Through the MIHAS Awards, we hope to inspire more companies to innovate, embrace technology, compete internationally and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of the global halal economy," said MATRADE Chairman YB Dato' Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

The largest reported component of sales came from the International Sourcing Programme, which contributed $985 million (RM4.02 billion), up 10.9% from $889 million (RM3.63 billion) a year earlier. The exhibition itself generated approximately $487 million (RM1.99 billion), with the leading product categories including processed food, food technology and packaging, frozen food, and fertilisers and agrochemicals. Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises generated $152 million (RM620 million) in sales, up 11.3% from $136 million (RM557 million) in 2025. SME participation at the event has grown sharply, rising from 64 companies in 2021 to 339 in 2026, an increase of 429.7%.

Read: Malaysia opens Libya Pavilion at Mihas 2026 as bilateral trade surges

Technology featured prominently in the event's commercial activity. Of the more than 22,000 AI-assisted business appointments generated during the showcase, 324 completed matches were associated with $6.86 million (RM28 million) in reported sales. The AI platform will continue operating until 2027, enabling businesses to maintain connections with potential buyers after the physical event has closed. MATRADE Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abu Bakar Yusof said the result reflected growing opportunities for Malaysian companies to reach international markets, with Agentic AI and the MADANI Digital Trade Platform intended to sustain connectivity between exporters and global buyers beyond the exhibition.

Malaysia's halal exports reached $16.8 billion (RM68.52 billion) in 2025, up 10.9% from $15.1 billion (RM61.79 billion) in 2024. The government is targeting halal exports of $19.6 billion (RM80 billion) by 2030 under the 13th Malaysia Plan.

The MIHAS Awards 2026 presented 13 awards across three core flagship categories: the Excellence Awards; the Innovation, Sustainability & Digitalisation Awards; and, for the first time, the Women in Export, or WiEX, Awards. YB Dato' Seri Reezal said the awards programme had evolved beyond recognising existing achievement. "The MIHAS Awards are no longer only about recognising excellence achieved today. They are also about recognising the capabilities that will shape the halal industry of tomorrow. This year, MIHAS has placed greater emphasis on innovation, sustainability, digitalisation and emerging technologies because these are increasingly important to how businesses compete and create value globally," he said.

The awards placed particular emphasis on companies using artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and digital solutions to improve products, processes and market reach. An independent external auditor was appointed to observe and validate the evaluation process.

Among the recipients were NIMS Adeliciousz Sdn Bhd, Industri Makanan Jati Sdn Bhd and RK Mubaraka Sdn Bhd in the Product/Service Excellence category; Chocofac (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Haritage Brands Sdn Bhd under the Emerging Star category; and Zhafou Global Sdn Bhd under the WiEX Product/Service Excellence Award.

The Innovation, Sustainability & Digitalisation Product/Service awards went to HYGR Sdn Bhd, PrintDaddy Sdn Bhd, Betrimex (Coco Investments Pte. Ltd.), Mega Fortris Berhad, Nestlé Products Sdn Bhd and ABIN Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, while Innovate Health Sdn Bhd received the corresponding WiEX award.
Read: Malaysia and Indonesia launch bilateral halal council on Day 3 of MIHAS 2026

Read: Malaysia's Mihas 2026 targets $1.23 billion in trade as halal showcase opens in Kuala Lumpur

"Simplification is only the beginning of that journey," Ahmad Zahid said, citing, according to government statements, RM2.2 billion in sales at Mihas Dubai in 2024 and RM3.2 billion at Mihas Shanghai in 2025, as evidence of what coordinated international outreach can deliver.

GHaS, hosted by JAKIM, serves as Malaysia's platform for halal diplomacy, governance and capacity-building, bringing together certification bodies, government agencies, Islamic scholars, policymakers and industry leaders. The summit drew senior representation from ministries and agencies across Malaysia's halal ecosystem, reflecting the government's commitment to aligning Shariah governance with international trade promotion.

Mihas 2026 also saw the signing of a Letter of Intent between Matrade and JAKIM establishing the Halal Development Officer programme under the Malaysia Halal Global Nexus initiative. The programme will empower Matrade officers stationed overseas to advise international businesses on Malaysia's halal ecosystem, strengthen recognition of Malaysian certification abroad, and support halal export growth.

Read: Malaysia opens Libya Pavilion at Mihas 2026 as bilateral trade surges

Reezal added that Matrade was committed to facilitating two-way engagement. "Matrade stands ready, arms wide open, to help Libyan enterprises step into ASEAN, just as we hope more Malaysian companies will seize the opportunities Libya offers," he said.

Read: Malaysia's Mihas 2026 targets $1.23 billion in trade as halal showcase opens in Kuala Lumpur

The Libya pavilion launch also supports Malaysia's proposal to establish an ASEAN Halal Council by September 2027, an initiative aimed at standardising halal trade frameworks across the region.

The Libya corridor is part of a broader push by Malaysia to extend its halal infrastructure internationally. On September 22, Malaysia's Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) signed memoranda of understanding with two JAKIM-recognised halal certification bodies — Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) and FAMBRAS Halal Certificação Ltda (FAMBRAS Halal) — to support the rollout of Malaysia's Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition programme in South Korea and Brazil.

The ITC also entered a strategic collaboration with Maybank Islamic Berhad to support tourism and hospitality businesses through financing and banking solutions, capacity building, halal facilitation, market access and promotional opportunities.

Separately, on the same day at MITEC, Nestlé Malaysia and the Halal Product Research Institute at Universiti Putra Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen halal education through a programme called HalSTEM, which integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics principles with halal industry training. Under the initiative, students will gain hands-on exposure to halal certification processes using microscopy, artificial intelligence applications, water filtration, soap production and nutritional calculations — linking classroom learning to real-world industry practice.

Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Religious Affairs, Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, said the HalSTEM collaboration reflected a shift in how the private sector understands its obligations. "We want to correct that economic theory, where today we prove that the social responsibility of a corporation or companies is not only to maximise profit, but also to fulfil the needs of society," he said, citing the economic theory that the primary social responsibility of a corporation is to make a profit.

Nestlé Malaysia said the programme was rooted in its broader halal commitment. Beyond regulatory compliance, the company said its halal standards are grounded in science, quality, safety and ethical responsibility, and that the initiative was intended to inspire young Malaysians to consider careers in the halal STEM sector.

Read: Malaysia and Indonesia launch bilateral halal council on Day 3 of MIHAS 2026

Read: Malaysia opens Libya Pavilion at Mihas 2026 as bilateral trade surges

The 2026 edition covers 14 sectors across the halal economy, ranging from food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, and modest fashion to halal logistics, Islamic finance, technology, services and Muslim-friendly tourism. For the first time, an AI-powered system is being deployed to help delegates with business discovery, venue navigation and meeting management.

First-time participating economies include Comoros and Rwanda. Northeast Asia and ASEAN make up the largest buyer contingents, with Africa growing as a non-traditional market. A virtual sourcing component runs from April to November 2026, with up to 150 international buyers participating remotely.

Reezal highlighted the expanding scope of halal standards beyond individual products to cover entire supply chains — including ingredients, packaging, logistics and transportation — and pointed to New Zealand's livestock and meat industry as evidence of halal adoption in countries without large Muslim populations. He also flagged Türkiye as a country with significant potential in the sector, citing its geopolitical position, industrial capacity and technological advancement. 

"Türkiye has got an enormous opportunity to play one of the leading roles in the halal industry because of the capacity they have and the goodwill they enjoy in the eyes and hearts of the world population, especially the Muslim population," he said.

The showcase features several thematic zones, including a 'Women in Export Pavilion' with 80 exhibitors — 60 Malaysian and 20 international — a Knowledge Hub, MIHAS Awards, daily modest fashion runway presentations, and live culinary demonstrations with 32 chefs participating in the Mihas Kitchen over the four days.

Reezal said discussions are under way to take a future Mihas edition to South Asia. The event was held in Dubai in 2024 and Shanghai in 2025. "I'm thinking of bringing it to what you could call the Indian subcontinent — India, Pakistan and Bangladesh — to expand the horizon of the halal industry in that region," he said.

On the broader trade environment, Reezal said Malaysia's policy of active neutrality positions it well amid ongoing shifts in global supply chains. "We are ranked 23rd as the largest trading and exporting nation. The largest FDI to our country is still the United States. So while we are doing business with the two big superpowers, we are embracing the philosophy of active neutrality," he said.

First launched in 2004, Mihas has grown into an international platform connecting businesses across the halal economy.

Read: Malaysia and Indonesia launch  bilateral halal council on Day 3 of MIHAS 2026

Muslim consumer spending on cosmetics reached $92 billion in 2024, reflecting 5.8% growth from $87 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach $124 billion by 2029, representing a 6.3% CAGR over the forecast period, according to the State of the Global Islamic Economy 2025/26 report. India remains the largest Muslim cosmetics market globally, followed by Türkiye and Indonesia. 

Key trends have emerged over the last 12 months, including the Gulf’s overarching role in driving demand which is feeding into the premium beauty vertical and attracting investment. On the consumer side, buying behaviour is shifting across social, online, live commerce, and in-store discovery. Men’s grooming is emerging as a high-growth revenue stream across the OIC region. 

From a technology standpoint, AI-led research and development and personalization are speeding formulation and product development. Longevity and regenerative beauty are converging with biotech and clinic-led innovation, while sun care and climate-adaptive skincare are accelerating innovation for heat, humidity, and daily protection. Fragrance is evolving into wellness, emotion, and multisensory experiences. 

Halal beauty brands are scaling women’s empowerment through education, entrepreneurship, and leadership partnerships across OIC markets, while values and geopolitics are reshaping consumer trust and brand switching.

Trade exhibitions are becoming deal platforms that shape regional market access and investment across OIC member states. Africa’s beauty strategy is scaling through local ingredients, science-led brands, and global demand pull. 

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is a strong market for cosmetics, having imported $22.49 billion worth of cosmetics in 2024, rising 9.04% from $20.62 billion in 2023. The largest imported categories were skincare and makeup (24.97%), followed by fragrance blends (18.63%) and perfumes and body sprays (11.46%). 

Over the next five years, imports are projected to reach $35.46 billion by 2029, reflecting a CAGR of 9.54%. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye led OIC cosmetics imports at $5.07 billion, $2.88 billion, and $2.04 billion, respectively. France was the top supplying market in 2024, with exports worth $4.18 billion, followed by the UAE at $2.15 billion and China at $1.41 billion. 
 

Muslims spent $112 billion on pharmaceutical products alone in 2024, rising 4.3% year-on-year, with a view to reach $146 billion by 2029, according to the State of the Global Islamic Economy 2025/26 Report.

Muslim markets bolstering local pharma manufacturing has been the sector’s overarching theme, expanding cross-border partnerships, and advancing traditional medicine toward mainstream, regulated integration. At the same time, demand is moving upmarket into specialty therapeutics such as oncology, as well as prevention and longevity. 

Operationally, the sector is modernizing as countries institutionalize evidence-based traditional medicine through national strategies, standardized training, and hospital-based delivery models. 

Healthcare systems are also expanding beyond pharmaceuticals into integrated care models, reflecting a broader diversification of the halal health ecosystem. These developments signal a transition toward more holistic, scalable, and systemized healthcare delivery across Muslim-majority markets. 

In parallel, national trade and industrial policy are reshaping the competitive landscape. Governments are advancing halal pharmaceutical hub strategies, strengthening vaccine and biologics manufacturing alliances, and leveraging major health platforms to drive deals, financing, and cross-border collaboration. This reflects a growing emphasis on health sovereignty and intra-OIC trade, as countries build the production base, regulatory alignment, and partnership ecosystems needed to reduce Western import dependence. 

Innovation is emerging as a key differentiator, led by Gulf hubs investing in AI-enabled drug discovery, advanced manufacturing, and halal-by-design product development. These capabilities are accelerating the shift from adoption to localized innovation and export readiness. 

In 2025, Muslim-majority nations, including key GCC hubs, pushed the halal pharmaceutical value chain upmarket: scaling local manufacturing and cross-border partnerships, moving traditional medicine toward WHO-backed mainstream integration, attracting more funding and commercialization support.

Meanwhile, funding and commercialization platforms are accelerating scale-up across pharmaceuticals and biotech. Oncology therapies are expanding rapidly, supported by innovative launches and industry partnerships.

Longevity and preventive-tech are expanding the operational footprint beyond pharmaceuticals. Trade exhibitions and conventions are accelerating OIC/ Africa deal flow, investment, and collaboration. 

Advanced therapeutics and high-tech research and development partnerships are strengthening the ecosystem for next-generation medicine.

Immunization funding and health security financing are also scaling long-term protection systems.