Kuala lumpur: The government is committed to expanding the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) recognition, especially to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the global halal industry and enhance the country’s export value chain, according to the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD). The department emphasized the significant role MSMEs play in strengthening Malaysia’s participation in the international halal market.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia’s halal exports were valued at RM39.44 billion in the second quarter (2Q) of this year, involving 1,499 halal exporting companies. Among these, 956 companies are MSMEs, which play an integral part in the growing international halal market. This information was provided by the PMD on the Parliament website in response to a query from Datuk Idris Ahmad (PN-Bagan Serai) regarding the government’s strategy to widen the recognition of the Malaysian halal certificate, particularly for MSMEs in international markets, to bolster the country’s halal export value chain.
The PMD highlighted that the success in halal exports involving MSMEs was also aided by various strategic overseas initiatives designed to strengthen the acceptance and recognition of SPHM globally. A primary strategy includes enhancing international recognition through mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs). The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) has been actively forging strategic collaborations with foreign halal certification bodies to bolster the mutual recognition of SPHM over time. To date, Jakim has recognized 92 halal certification bodies across 47 countries.
Meanwhile, as of August 2025, the PMD reported that total investment in the Halal Malaysia (HALMAS)-accredited industrial parks reached RM16.7 billion. HALMAS is an initiative by the government through the Halal Development Corporation to recognize and monitor industrial parks that meet halal infrastructure and support service standards, facilitating the growth of the national halal industry in a systematic and integrated manner.
Halal industry training programs and technical guidance conducted by the State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN) and State Islamic Departments (JAIN) are also organized to increase MSMEs’ readiness to enter domestic and international halal markets. Programs such as halal certification workshops, MS1500 compliance seminars, halal clinics, documentation guidance sessions, and technical courses related to halal standards like Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) are part of these efforts.
The PMD reported that the halal sector continued to perform well, contributing 7.94 percent to the gross domestic product in 2Q of this year, with an estimated value of RM38.76 billion.