Shanghai: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is set to enhance Malaysia’s footprint in the Chinese market through the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS)@Shanghai, scheduled from November 5-10, 2025. The event is organized alongside the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and will feature 250 Malaysian companies spanning sectors such as food and beverage, agricultural products, fast-moving consumer goods, medical equipment and healthcare, and financial services.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MATRADE chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican emphasized the strategic and timely choice of Shanghai for the showcase. He noted the rapid expansion of the global halal economy, which now includes sectors beyond food and beverages, such as logistics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care. The market is projected to grow from US$3.5 trillion to over US$5 trillion by 2030, presenting significant opportunities for Malaysian halal producers known for their quality and compliance with international standards.
MATRADE’s chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, highlighted the success of MIHAS@Dubai 2024, which generated RM2.2 billion in sales. The Shanghai edition, held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), aims to achieve RM2.5 billion in total trade. The event will feature an International sourcing programme with business matching sessions involving 100 buyers, including 20 premium buyers from China, as well as participants from India, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Brazil, and other markets.
According to MATRADE, China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years as of 2024, with bilateral trade reaching RM484.25 billion, accounting for 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s global trade. In the first nine months of 2025, Malaysia-China trade rose by 8.6 per cent to RM385.71 billion, representing 17.3 per cent of Malaysia’s total trade. Specifically in the halal sector, Malaysia’s halal exports in 2024 increased by 15 per cent to RM61.79 billion compared to 2023, with China accounting for RM6.25 billion of these exports, making it Malaysia’s second-largest halal export market.
The MIHAS@Shanghai initiative aligns with the 13th Malaysia Plan’s target to achieve RM80 billion in halal exports, contributing 11 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP), in line with the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030.