MIHAS 2025 Set to Redefine Global Halal Economy with Record-Setting Ambitions

KUALA LUMPUR — In a world where trade is increasingly defined by cultural and ethical considerations, a major event in Southeast Asia is poised to serve as a bellwether for a rising economic force. The 21st Malaysia International Halal Showcase, or MIHAS, which begins next week, is not merely a trade event; it is a strategic display of Malaysia’s ambition to formalize and lead a global industry estimated to be worth trillions of dollars.

As The Halal Times reports, MIHAS 2025, taking place from September 17 to 20 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), is expecting a record-breaking turnout. The event is projecting more than 2,300 exhibitors from 45 countries—a significant increase from the previous year—along with an anticipated 45,000 trade visitors. Should that number hold, it would surpass a Guinness World Record set by the same event in 2023. These figures are not just a measure of scale but an indication of the mounting interest in a market that caters to the world’s two billion Muslims and a growing segment of non-Muslim consumers seeking ethically produced goods.

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Under the theme “Pinnacle of Halal Excellence,” this year’s showcase has broadened its scope well beyond its origins in the food and beverage sector. The exhibition will feature a diverse portfolio including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, modest fashion, Islamic finance, medical devices, and Muslim-friendly tourism. This expansion underscores a pivotal shift in the industry, away from a narrow focus on dietary compliance to a comprehensive ecosystem of lifestyle products and services.

For Malaysia, hosting such a showcase is an act of economic diplomacy. As the country prepares to assume the chairmanship of ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, MIHAS serves as a powerful symbol of its regional leadership. It provides a platform for a coordinated approach to halal standards, which, if streamlined, could unlock vast new markets. Organizers have set an ambitious goal of generating RM4.5 billion in global halal sales, a target that would build upon last year’s impressive figures. This aspiration is being supported by new digital tools, including a platform that uses real-time analytics to match buyers and sellers, reflecting a broader technological modernization of international trade.

Ultimately, MIHAS 2025 offers a window into the evolving dynamics of the global economy. It is a place where faith, commerce, and technology converge, and where Malaysia is making a clear case for its role in shaping the future of a rapidly expanding and increasingly sophisticated market.