KUALA LUMPUR, 20 September 2025 – The World Halal Business Conference 2025 Kuala Lumpur (WHBC), held today at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), once again reinforced Malaysia’s leadership in shaping the global Halal economy, under the theme “Halal: Beyond Boundaries.”

In the keynote address, YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, read by YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), he emphasized the transformative potential of the Halal economy, urging stakeholders to look beyond geographical, industrial, and mindset boundaries to unlock new frontiers of growth.

“The Halal industry should no longer be perceived as exclusive to Muslims. Instead, we must present it to the world as a universal symbol of quality, integrity, safety, and sustainability — values that resonate with all consumers, regardless of faith or background.”

The Halal economy has grown far beyond its traditional scope of food and compliance, evolving into a global force across pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, Islamic finance, travel, and digital innovation. He reaffirmed Malaysia’s strong performance in the sector, with Halal exports for the first half of 2025 reaching RM33.32 billion, representing 16.1% of total national exports.

Malaysia was also recognised as the leading global Halal economy for the 11th consecutive year in the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2024/2025, an achievement credited to its robust ecosystem, innovation-driven approach, and multi-stakeholder collaborations.

The WHBC 2025 Kuala Lumpur gathered more than 1000 participants from 42 countries, including policymakers, business leaders, scholars, and entrepreneurs. The conference also hosted a Halal Industry Townhall Session, alongside YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. Their leadership and perspectives provided invaluable insights into the current landscape as well as the future direction of the global Halal industry.

Looking ahead, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated his appeal for the establishment of both an ASEAN Halal Council and a World Halal Development Council to strengthen cross-regional dialogue and governance.

The WHBC 2025 concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to translate insights into action, ensuring that the Halal industry continues to drive sustainable growth, inclusivity, and resilience on a global scale.