Malaysia Airlines has teamed up with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to encourage Malaysians to visit Hong Kong's cultural landmarks and modern attractions. 

The initiative is part of the national carrier's campaign launched earlier this year to connect travellers to over 60 destinations. 

Malaysia Airlines will operate 14 direct weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Economy Class tickets start at 999 Malaysian ringgitts for return flights, with booking available from March 17 until April 30, 2025 and travel valid until November 30, 2025.

Hong Kong features a range of attractions, including Victoria Peak, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Ngong Ping 360, and Tsim Sha Tsui.

Here's a roundup of key developments across the halal industry ecosystem during the month of March

Editor's note: Ramadan Greetings to all you. The holy month has begun with a number of strategic partnerships from the GCC neck of the woods, starting from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund tying up with Al Watania Poultry to boost the kingdom's global exports. 

Saudi's Tanmiah Food Company also entered into a partnership to boost halal culinary innovation. Meanwhile, Seoul is keen to beckon Muslim travellers from the Middle East. 

Company News

Saudi Arabia

Tanmiah, Griffith Foods partners to boost halal culinary innovation across Middle East

Tanmiah Food Company, a Middle Eastern producer of fresh poultry and related products, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Griffith Foods, a global developer of customized food ingredient solutions.

The partnership aims to enhance Tanmiah's product range, extend its regional distribution, and support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals of food security and sustainability. (Arabian Business)

Saudi Arabia

Al Watania Poultry signs partnership with Halal Products Development Company

Al Watania Poultry has partnered with Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), aiming to boost Saudi poultry exports by tapping into new global markets.

The strategic partnership, revealed at an event in Jeddah, focuses on enhancing sustainable and innovative practices within the halal food industry. (Zawya)

Malaysia / South Korea

JS-SEZ home to South Korean bakery chain’s first global halal hub facility

Paris Baguette, owned by SPC Group, has launched its first global halal food hub in Johor to address the increasing global demand for halal bakery products. 

The new hub signifies Paris Baguette's commitment to maintaining high international standards of hygiene, safety, and quality in food production, aligning with Malaysia's rigorous halal certification standards. (The Star)

Trade Developments

Indonesia

Stakeholders mull cooperation to boost halal product exports

Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya met with the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association - Culinary Indonesia (HIPMI-HCI) to discuss partnerships aimed at enhancing the culinary sector and increasing exports of halal products.

The collaboration is seen as vital for expanding Indonesia's presence in the global halal market and boosting the national economy.

HIPMI-HCI, which has 843 local brands, seeks to foster discussions, encourage cooperation, and promote Indonesian cuisine internationally. (Antara News)

Regulatory

South Korea

Seoul to certify halal restaurants through Muslim-friendly initiative

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is actively working to make the city more accommodating for Muslim visitors by supporting halal-certified establishments that serve  ingredients prepared and sourced in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.

The initiative is part of an effort to attract more tourists from Africa and the Middle East. 

To ensure compliance with these standards, existing halal restaurants will be reviewed for authenticity and adherence to halal guidelines. Additionally, the city plans to issue a guide listing all certified halal restaurants. (Korea JoongAng Daily)

Malaysia

Jakim explores AI, blockchain to boost halal certification monitoring

The Malaysian government is considering the use of AI and blockchain technologies to improve the real-time monitoring of international halal certification bodies.

Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, explained that these technologies could help verify compliance and enhance the integrity of the certification process. (The Star)

UPCOMING EVENTS :

Here's a roundup of key developments across the halal industry ecosystem during the month of February.

Editor's note: Jordan is joining hands with Malaysia to bolster its halal ecosystem, while Korea cosmetics firm is affirming its expansion plans by securing halal certification from Indonesia. 

Also, welcome news for Pakistani Albaik fans, with the Saudi fast food giant looking to open branches in key cities.

Company News

South Korea / Indonesia

Cosmecca Korea's global expansion bolstered by Indonesian halal certification

Cosmecca Korea has obtained halal certification from the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), enhancing its global expansion efforts, particularly in the ASEAN and Middle East markets.

Announced in February, this certification is crucial as Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population, will require mandatory halal certification for cosmetics starting next October. (Business Korea)

Saudi Arabia / Pakistan

Saudi fast-food giant Albaik set to start operations in Pakistan

Saudi fast-food chain Albaik is set to begin operations in Pakistan, with plans to open outlets in major cities, according to Pakistani commerce minister Jam Kamal Khan.

Following a visit to Albaik’s facilities and meetings with Pakistani employees, the minister announced that Albaik's launch plan is nearing completion after signing a memorandum of understanding.

Discussions during the Made in Pakistan exhibition focused on business collaborations and investment opportunities for Saudi brands in Pakistan. (Dawn)

Trade Developments

Jordan / Malaysia

Jordan-Malaysia in halal ecosystem development
Jordan is enhancing its halal ecosystem by partnering with Malaysia's Serunai Commerce through the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

An 11-day Diagnostic Mission assessed Jordan’s existing halal certification capabilities and explored strategic improvements. This mission involved key ministries and regulatory bodies, including the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation and the Ministry of Agriculture, to identify challenges, capacity gaps, and opportunities for strengthening Jordan's role in the global halal economy.

 (Halal Focus)

Kyrgyzstan / Brunei

Kyrgyzstan offers Brunei cooperation in energy and halal industry

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov met with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Japarov emphasized the importance of inter-regional partnerships between Central Asia and ASEAN, detailing Kyrgyzstan's reforms and development projects, particularly in transportation and international corridors.

He proposed collaboration in energy, IT, raw materials processing, and the halal industry, inviting Brunei investors to engage in Kyrgyz projects. (24 KG)

Uzbekistan / Malaysia

Uzbekistan, Malaysia agree to develop roadmap for bilateral agreements implementation

Uzbekistan and Malaysia have agreed to develop a roadmap for the implementation of mutual agreements following a meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The discussions focused on enhancing trade, economic, and investment cooperation, leading to plans for a preferential trade agreement, industrial exhibitions, and an industrial cooperation program.

The leaders designated 2025-2026 for innovative development in their partnership, identifying sectors for collaboration, including petrochemicals, electronics, and green energy. (Trend News Agency)

Australia / Malaysia

Australian halal red meat headed to Malaysia

Australian halal red meat will soon be available in Malaysia following the approval of seven new export establishments, bringing the total to 25 halal-certified Australian operations.

This development positions Australia as a major supplier of halal beef and sheep meat to Malaysia, a market valued at over $333 million in 2023/24.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins attributed this success to a coordinated government and industry effort. (Food Processing)

Regulatory

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan to allow halal labeling for certified products and services

The document approves measures for certifying products and services as halal, including establishing certification bodies and prioritizing standards from the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC).

It allows for the labeling of certified halal products starting May 1, 2025, and mandates periodic assessments for compliance.

The Uzbekistan Technical Regulation Agency and the Committee on Religious Affairs are responsible for accrediting the "Halal" certification body within six months, involving recognized international organizations. (KUN.UZ)

UPCOMING EVENTS :

Practicing Muslims do not consume alcohol, as it is impermissible in Islam.

Many Muslims also avoid gatherings or restaurants where alcohol is served or consumed. However, air travel becomes fairly tricky especially if you are a frequent traveller and wish to eschew the services of a carrier that offers alcoholic beverages. 

Here are 10 airlines in Muslim-majority countries that do not serve alcoholic drinks onboard its flights. 

Hong Kong may import halal food for Muslim tourists, a government official has said, as the city ramp up efforts to accommodate Muslim visitors. 

Warner Cheuk, deputy chief secretary, said that as Hong Kong develops into a Muslim-friendly tourist destination, halal food could be brought in from abroad, according to local media reports. 

The UAE will continue to forge comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPAs) with additional countries in 2025, in an attempt to maximise its benefits and those of its global trade partners, an official has said. 

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s minister of state for foreign trade said that the agreements will strengthen rules-based international trade, increase investments, and enhance opportunities for trade in goods, services, and re-exporting.

The free trade agreements have already had a positive effect on various facets of the UAE's foreign trade, particularly non-oil trade, re-export services, logistics, clean and renewable energy, technology, financial services, green industries, advanced materials, agriculture, and sustainable food systems, Dr. Al Zeyoudi said in a statement to UAE’s state-run news agency WAM. 

The UAE launched its CEPA programme in September 2021 to ramp up its trade value to $1 trillion by the year 2031. Since then, the country has concluded 24 free trade pacts until early last December, covering around a quarter of the world’s population. 

Five of the free trade pacts have been forged with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, which are expected to undergird the global Islamic economy.