South Korea Eyes Malaysia as Gateway to the Global Halal Economy

When you walk through the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), the world of halal trade comes alive in one place. Booths display everything from food and beverages to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, each one competing for attention in a market that now stretches far beyond Muslim-majority countries.

This year, something stood out: the strong presence of South Korean companies. At one booth, a cosmetics brand displayed its famous skincare products with a fresh twist. Alongside the sleek packaging and stylish branding was a new label in Arabic script — halal-certified. Curious Malaysian buyers crowded around, asking about the ingredients, the process of certification, and distribution plans. The Korean team spoke confidently about how they had worked with both local and international authorities to meet halal standards. For them, Malaysia was not just another trade stop. It was a crucial partner in a much bigger plan: breaking into the global halal economy.

All around MIHAS, you could see the same pattern. Korean snack makers offering halal-friendly versions of seaweed crisps and sauces. Supplement companies showcasing halal-certified vitamins. Even biotech firms exploring how to make their products acceptable to Muslim consumers. It was clear that South Korea had made a collective decision — halal was no longer optional. It was a serious business opportunity, and Malaysia was the best place to begin.

Why Malaysia Matters To South Korean Halal Companies

To understand why, it helps to look at Malaysia’s position in the halal world. Over the past two decades, Malaysia has built itself into a global halal hub. The government, through JAKIM, established a halal certification system that is now trusted internationally. Many countries — from the Gulf states to Southeast Asia — accept Malaysian certification as a guarantee of quality and compliance.

But it’s not just about certification. Malaysia has created an entire ecosystem around halal. There are halal testing labs, logistics providers, consultants, trade fairs, and investment incentives. For a foreign company that wants to enter the Muslim market, Malaysia offers a ready-made support system that reduces both risk and confusion. This makes it especially attractive for South Korean firms, who are new to the halal space but eager to move quickly.

The global halal economy is growing at an incredible pace. Muslim consumers are spending more than US$1.4 trillion on food and beverages alone, and when you add cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fashion, and travel, the figure rises even higher. These numbers are not slowing down — younger populations, rising incomes, and stronger awareness of halal standards are pushing growth across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and even Europe.

For Korean companies, this is too big to ignore. They already have strengths in product design, branding, and global exports. Korean food, skincare, and entertainment have gone global in the past two decades, creating a strong reputation for quality and innovation. The halal market is the next frontier. But to succeed here, trust matters. And trust in halal means certification and compliance — two things Malaysia is perfectly placed to provide.

At MIHAS, many Korean firms explained that their first step was getting halal certification. Without it, they knew buyers would hesitate, no matter how popular their products were. Some are taking it further, setting up local production lines in Malaysia or planning joint ventures with Malaysian companies.

The SPC Group, one of Korea’s largest food manufacturers, has already built manufacturing facilities in Malaysia. By doing so, they not only serve Malaysian consumers but also use the country as a base for exporting halal products across the region. Smaller companies are following the same path, seeking Malaysian partners who can help them understand local preferences and expand into markets like Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

For Malaysian businesses, this wave of Korean interest is a golden opportunity. Local companies don’t have to remain just distributors. They can step up as equal partners — co-developing new products, offering halal-compliant contract manufacturing, or even partnering on branding and marketing campaigns.

A Malaysian manufacturer, for example, could work with a Korean snack company to design flavors that appeal not just in Kuala Lumpur, but also in Dubai or Jakarta. A halal consultancy could help a Korean cosmetics brand reformulate products while also taking a share in the distribution business. These are win-win arrangements that bring in technology, investment, and knowledge while expanding Malaysia’s role in the global halal supply chain.

Of course, this journey is not without obstacles. Different countries have slightly different halal standards, and navigating them can be complex. Products that work well in Seoul may need reformulation to suit Muslim consumers in other markets — whether that means changing flavors, redesigning packaging, or replacing ingredients. Setting up halal-compliant facilities can also be expensive, especially for small firms just entering the market.

But the mood at MIHAS was clear: Korean companies are willing to invest the time and money needed to get it right. They see the halal market as a long-term commitment, not a short-term experiment.

The deeper story here is how halal trade is changing. It is no longer limited to Muslim-majority countries producing for Muslim consumers. Instead, it is becoming a global value chain where companies from very different backgrounds collaborate to serve a growing market built on trust and cultural respect.

South Korea’s entry into this space through Malaysia shows how powerful cross-border partnerships can be. Korea brings creativity, technology, and global branding power. Malaysia brings halal credibility, market access, and experience. Together, they can create products that are not only halal-compliant but also competitive on the world stage.

Walking out of MIHAS, past the bright displays and busy networking sessions, the message was clear: this is only the beginning. South Korea is taking halal seriously, and Malaysia is ready to be the bridge. If these partnerships continue to grow, we may soon see Korean halal-certified snacks on supermarket shelves in the Middle East, halal-approved K-beauty products in European stores, and joint Malaysia–Korea brands making their mark worldwide.

This is more than trade. It is about building a new kind of collaboration, where trust and innovation meet. And if Malaysia and South Korea play to their strengths, their partnership could become one of the most exciting stories in the global halal economy in the years to come.