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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: The 22nd edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), one of the world’s largest halal trade exhibitions, is underway in Malaysia, with companies from 90 countries, including Bangladesh, participating.
Around 2,400 booths are showcasing products and services across 14 sectors, ranging from halal food and pharmaceuticals to cosmetics, fashion, logistics, Islamic finance, technology and tourism. Organisers expect around 50,000 visitors during the four-day event.
MIHAS 2026 is being held from September 23 to 26 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur. Through the exhibition and business matchmaking programmes, organisers have set a target of generating business worth RM5 billion, equivalent to approximately US$1.23 billion.
Since its inception in 2004, MIHAS has evolved beyond a showcase for halal food products and emerged as a major global platform for trade, investment and business networking in the halal economy. The event provides exporters with opportunities to connect directly with buyers, importers, distributors and businesspeople from different countries, helping them explore new international markets.
For the first time, this year’s MIHAS has introduced a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI)-powered system for participants. Dato’ Indera Abu Bakar Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), said each registered participant is being provided with a dedicated AI agent and personalised assistance.
The AI-powered system helps participants identify potential business partners, communicate with exhibitors, arrange business matchmaking, access multilingual support, locate booths within the exhibition centre, schedule meetings and maintain post-event business communications.
Under MIHAS’s international business networking programme, around 4,000 meetings are expected to be held between 600 Malaysian exporters and approximately 450 international buyers, including 50 premium buyers.
Six Bangladeshi companies are participating in this year’s MIHAS under the initiative of the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), with support from the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
The participating companies are Apex Convenience Foods Limited, Ghorer Bazar, Paragon Agro Limited, Talukder Agro Food & Beverage, Nourish Foods Limited and Biopharma Limited. Leading Bangladeshi food manufacturer PRAN is also among the participating companies.
PRAN is showcasing a wide range of halal products across eight booths, including snacks, juices and drinks, culinary products, biscuits, bakery and confectionery items. Flavoured noodles, chocolates, wafers and various other consumer products are also being displayed.
The Bangladeshi companies are seeking to highlight the potential of locally produced halal food products to international buyers while exploring opportunities to enter new markets.
On Thursday, a delegation from the Bangladesh High Commission, led by High Commissioner Manzurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, visited the Bangladesh Pavilion. He was accompanied by Joy Shankar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the organising institution.
Speaking to journalists during the visit, the High Commissioner said Bangladesh has significant potential not only in manpower exports but also as an investment destination.
Referring to the absence of a trade agreement between Bangladesh and Malaysia as one of the challenges to expanding bilateral trade and commerce, he said discussions had already taken place between the two governments. He expressed hope that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries could be signed by 2027.
An FTA could create new opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and investment, the High Commissioner said. He also invited Malaysian investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s aviation, medical, information technology and agro-processing sectors.
Highlighting the large market for Malaysian halal products in Bangladesh, he called for cooperation in developing an effective halal ecosystem in Bangladesh by drawing on Malaysia’s longstanding experience in the sector.
He also urged Malaysian businesses to undertake training and capacity-building initiatives to help develop skilled manpower for Bangladesh’s semiconductor industry.
The global halal market is expanding rapidly. Beyond Muslim consumers, demand for halal products is also growing among non-Muslim consumers because of their association with food safety, quality, hygiene and production standards. As a result, the halal economy has expanded beyond food into pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, logistics, tourism, technology and financial services.
Against this backdrop, MIHAS is more than a product exhibition. It serves as an important platform for finding international buyers, entering new markets, developing business partnerships and expanding exports. The participation of Bangladeshi companies has also highlighted the potential for expanding the international market for halal products made in Bangladesh.