Kuala Lumpur: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) is evaluating a proposal to merge the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) as part of an initiative to bolster the nation’s halal industry.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz indicated that the proposal is currently under consideration, among other suggestions aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s position in the global halal market. Emphasizing the importance of delineating roles, Tengku Zafrul stated that MATRADE should concentrate on facilitating access to halal trade, while HDC would focus on the development aspects of the halal industry.

The minister, speaking at the ASEAN-GCC Economic Forum 2025, also mentioned that the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is set to direct its efforts towards investments in the halal sector. Recent announcements by MITI have confirmed plans to merge MATRADE and HDC to create a more integrated and robust halal trade and industry ecosystem.

Furthermore, MITI has established a pro-tem committee tasked with aligning resources and operational frameworks to ensure a smooth transition and equitable management of functions and jobs. The merger aims to reinforce Malaysia’s leadership and competitiveness in the global halal market, which is expected to grow to US$5 trillion by 2030.

In addition, Tengku Zafrul revealed that the Malaysian Halal Council secretariat has put forward a proposal for the formation of a Halal Commission. This proposal is set to be presented to the Cabinet for consideration. The objectives and structure of the proposed commission will be disclosed following Cabinet approval, as the ministry is currently in the process of gathering feedback from various other ministries to refine the proposal.