WNAM MONITORING: The 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2026) is set to begin Wednesday in the capital Kuala Lumpur under the theme “Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience,” bringing together companies, buyers and industry representatives from across the global halal economy.
The four-day event, hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and organized by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), will take place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (MITEC) from Sept. 23 to 26.
Around 50,000 visitors from 45 countries are expected to attend, while 1,700 companies will showcase their products and services across some 2,000 booths.
Organizers are targeting 5 billion Malaysian ringgit ($1.23 billion) in total sales through the exhibition and its business-matching program.
MATRADE Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Indera Abu Bakar Yusof said the scale of this year’s event will be supported by a new AI-powered system designed to provide participants with personalized assistance.
“With MIHAS 2026 expected to welcome 50,000 visitors, the AI system will provide every registered participant with a dedicated AI agent and personalized support to discover businesses, engage with exhibitors and build relevant connections,” Abu Bakar said.
“We believe this approach will enhance the MIHAS experience and support our efforts to achieve RM5 billion in sales value this year,” he added.
MIHAS 2026 will cover 14 sectors across the halal economy, ranging from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, modest fashion, halal logistics, Islamic finance, technology, services and Muslim-friendly tourism.
The AI system will offer business matching, multilingual support, exhibition navigation, meeting management and post-event engagement.
MIHAS’ International Sourcing Programme, its flagship business-matching initiative, is expected to facilitate around 4,000 meetings between 450 international buyers, including 50 premium buyers, and approximately 600 Malaysian exporters.
The event will also feature its Knowledge Hub, Women in Export pavilion, MIHAS Awards and Hosted Buyer Programme.
The Women in Export initiative has been expanded from a standalone forum into a dedicated pavilion this year, bringing together 80 exhibitors, including 60 from Malaysia and 20 from other countries.
The Knowledge Hub, established in 2021, will provide exporters, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with trade intelligence and information on global market opportunities.
Its Power Talk 2026, themed “The Next Wave of the Halal Trade,” will bring together industry representatives to discuss supply-chain resilience and international competitiveness amid global trade uncertainties.
MIHAS 2026 will also feature daily modest-fashion runway presentations and live culinary demonstrations.
The MIHAS Kitchen has expanded to two floors this year and will host live cooking sessions by 32 chefs during the four-day event, up from 15 last year.
First launched in 2004, MIHAS has developed into a major international platform connecting businesses across the halal economy.
