Malaysia: Malaysia has the potential to generate between RM30 billion and RM50 billion in economic value over the next decade through the development of its herbal industry, as the government aims to position the country as a leading BioHerbal Innovation Hub in Asia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, in a Facebook post, announced that the matter was discussed during the first meeting of the National Herbal Development Council (MPHN), which he chaired. The meeting was focused on driving policy and strategic objectives to unlock the full potential of Malaysia's herbal industry. It also discussed efforts to realise this potential through coordinated public and private investments, along with appropriate policy priorities.
Dzulkefly highlighted that the extraordinary potential of Malaysia's herbal industry could be harnessed through focused efforts such as the commercial cultivation of priority medicinal plants, clinical validation and evidence-based herbal medicine, and AI-assisted phytochemical discoveries. Additionally, emphasis should be placed on genomic and metabolomic research for herbal compounds, intellectual property protection and international patents, and the production of export-oriented halal herbal products.
He emphasized the importance of integrating biotechnology and precision medicine with the development of stronger regulatory pathways aligned with international standards. Malaysia's significant competitive advantages in developing the herbal industry include being ranked 12th globally in the National Biodiversity Index and being one of 17 megadiverse countries, with around 1,200 plant species in Peninsular Malaysia identified as having medicinal value.
Dzulkefly also pointed out Malaysia's excellence in Halal Leadership, supported by a globally recognised certification system, which opens up opportunities in the rapidly growing Muslim healthcare market. The country is supported by a strong scientific ecosystem, including the Malaysian Herbal Monograph, expertise from leading agencies, biotechnology centres, local universities, and improvements in herbal product quality and standardisation.
The Health Minister stressed that developing the herbal industry requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, involving collaboration among ministries, agencies, higher education institutions, industry players, and all relevant stakeholders. He called for close cooperation among various parties, including SME Corp, MRANTI, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, the Ministry of Health, higher learning institutions, industry players, and all relevant stakeholders.
Dzulkefly added that Malaysia aims to be seen not only as a producer of traditional herbal products but as a leading BioHerbal Innovation Hub in Asia, integrating biodiversity excellence, biotechnology advancement, precision medicine, and halal excellence under one roof.