The National Trade Promotion Agency of Malaysia, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), has unveiled the 22nd edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2026), also the world’s largest Halal trade event, positioning it as a leading global gateway for businesses seeking to access opportunities within the rapidly expanding USD3.5 trillion Halal economy. MIHAS 2026 soft launch took place on April 28, 2026, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Held under the theme “Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience”, MIHAS 2026, responds to rising demand for trusted, transparent, and efficient trade ecosystems amid ongoing global supply chain shifts, market fragmentation, and cost pressures.

The event, recognised as the most established Halal trade platform, is designed to connect international businesses, and verified Halal products and services suppliers through high-value business engagements and cross-border trade opportunities.

MIHAS 2026 will take place from 23 to 26 September 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur. MIHAS 2026 will feature the following 14 carefully curated Halal product and services:

Products include food & beverage; modest fashion & lifestyle; food technology & packaging; pharmaceuticals & medicals; Halal ingredient; cosmetics & personal care; and Islamic art & craft.

Services include e-Commerce; education; retail & franchise; media & recreation; islamic finance & fintech; muslim-friendly hospitality & tourism; and services & enablers.

MIHAS 2026 will leverage intelligent digital trade tools to enhance business matching, streamline engagement, and improve commercial conversion opportunities for participants.

These capabilities are embedded across MIHAS’ key programmes. Under the International Sourcing Programme (INSP MIHAS), 250 international buyers which are targeted to be recruited, will meet with 600 Malaysian exporters through curated business matching sessions designed to facilitate cross-border trade and sourcing opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Hosted Buyer Programme is designed for international exhibitors participating in MIHAS, connecting them directly with 50 Malaysian importers through structured business meetings aimed at supporting market entry and distribution partnerships within Malaysia and the wider ASEAN market.

MIHAS 2026 is set to generate USD 1.13 billion in trade value, supported by 2,380 exhibition booths and participation from visitors across 45 countries. In 2025, Malaysia’s Halal exports reached USD 17.23 billion placing Malaysia as a key player in in the Global Halal economy.

Aiyub Omar, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Nigeria,  remarked that MIHAS 2026 would serve as an ideal instrument to support Nigeria’s aspiration of becoming a key player in the global halal economy, as outlined in the recently launched Nigeria National Halal Economy Strategy.

The High Commissioner added that MIHAS 2026 would serve as an ideal platform for Nigerian exporters and businesses to showcase their products and capabilities to the global market, while also identifying potential partners, suppliers, technology providers to support the development of Nigeria’s halal ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Jude Bryan S. Dass, Trade Counsellor, noted that a total of eight buyers from Nigeria and 21 buyers from across West Africa, including participants from Senegal, Mali, and Ghana, had participated in MIHAS 2025 under the INSP programme.

The Trade Counsellor added, taking into consideration the strong interest received from Nigerian companies and institutions thus far, he is optimistic of greater participation from buyers across West Africa, particularly Nigeria, at MIHAS 2026.

Approved buyers will benefit from the incentives which includes complementary hotel accommodation and ground transportation for the duration of the programme.

“We are hopeful of a sizeable participation by Nigerian exhibitors at MIHAS 2026, potentially under a consolidated Nigeria Pavilion, to benefit from the Hosted Buyer Programme, which provides opportunities to connect directly with 50 Malaysian importers through structured business meetings aimed at facilitating market entry and distribution partnerships within Malaysia and the wider ASEAN market,”  the trade counsellor said.

Malaysia’s exports to Nigeria grew by 20.7 percent in 2025, reaching USD664 million, underscoring strengthening bilateral trade ties and deepening economic engagement between the two countries amid an evolving global trade landscape.

Total trade between Malaysia and Nigeria from January to March 2026 grew by 5.9%. Malaysia exports to Nigeria increased by 4.8%, while imports from Nigeria grew by 7.2% over the same period.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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