HalalHub.vn · Quick news · 29 October 2026
(HalalHub.vn) – On 27 October 2026, Malaysia’s Minister for Religious Affairs Zulkifli Hasan launched the Global Halal School and said Budget 2027 initiatives aim to bring Malaysian Halal businesses into international markets. Small and medium enterprises applying for Halal certification for the first time will receive matching grants of up to RM5,000.
Key figures on Malaysia’s Halal industry support. Graphic: HalalHub.vn, compiled from Bernama, NST, Malay Mail and HDC.
Funding for small businesses, with cosmetics and pharmaceuticals prioritized
Presenting Budget 2027 to the lower house of parliament, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced matching grants of up to RM5,000 for micro, small and medium enterprises applying for Halal certification for the first time, alongside RM25,000 grants for Halal businesses in sectors such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The allocation for religious affairs rises to RM3.1 billion from RM2.6 billion this year.
Malaysia’s Halal Development Corporation (HDC) said it would align its 2027 development programs with budget priorities. The Halal Home Grown Champion 3.0 program for 2027–2030 aims to make approximately half of participating businesses export-ready. Malaysia’s Halal exports reached RM68.52 billion in 2025, with a target of RM80 billion by 2030.
Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and health supplements are among the sectors Malaysia prioritizes for Halal certification support under Budget 2027. Illustrative photo: Unsplash.
Global Halal School: Training professionals beyond certification paperwork
Launched at the 2026 National Halal Executives Conference (PEH26) in Bangi, the Global Halal School is a project of UNITI College Port Dickson and the UNITI Halal Centre. According to Bernama, Zulkifli said JAKIM-led certification is a key strength making Malaysia a reference point for Halal. He also stressed that Halal professionals must go beyond certification paperwork to promote integrity, hygiene, sustainability and health.
| 📌 KEY POINTS First-time certification: matching grants of up to RM5,000 for small and medium enterprises. Priority sectors: cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, with RM25,000 grants. Target: RM80 billion in Halal exports by 2030. Workforce: the Global Halal School launched on 27 October 2026. |
Central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The country targets RM80 billion in Halal exports by 2030. Illustrative photo: Unsplash.
| 🇻🇳 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUSINESSES Competitors are receiving support, while opportunities remain open. Malaysian businesses, particularly in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, are receiving direct government support for certification and exports, increasing competition in Muslim markets. Meanwhile, Malaysia recognizes five Vietnamese Halal certification bodies as of 21 August 2026. Vietnamese businesses can both sell into Malaysia and supply ingredients to its expanding Halal manufacturing chains. |
Glossary
JAKIM: Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, the authority issuing and managing Malaysian Halal certification.
HDC (Halal Development Corporation): Malaysia’s Halal industry development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
Matching grant: government funding covers part of the cost, with the business paying the remainder.
Ringgit (RM): Malaysia’s currency.
References
Legal texts and official sources
HDC – Budget 2027 Strengthens MSMEs’ Competitiveness In Halal Industry
HDC – HDC Steps Up Halal SME Development As Malaysia Targets RM80 Billion In Exports
Press and industry analysis (secondary sources, cited as published)
Bernama – Budget 2027 Initiatives To Boost Halal Industry, Expand Global Markets - Zulkifli
Bernama – Budget 2027 Strengthens MSMEs’ Competitiveness In Halal Industry
New Straits Times – 2027 Budget: RM5,000 grant for first-time halal certification
Malay Mail – Budget 2027: Islamic affairs gets RM3.1b
VnEconomy – Malaysia recognises five Vietnamese Halal certification bodies
Illustrative photos: Unsplash (Unsplash License). Graphic: HalalHub.vn.
HalalHub.vn · Published on 29 October 2026 · Legal information checked as of 29 October 2026; regulations may change. Consult official sources before making decisions.
| ℹ️ ABOUT HALALHUB.VN’S INDEPENDENCE HalalHub.vn is a platform for connections and information. HalalHub.vn is not a Halal certification body and does not issue Halal certificates. Halal certificates are issued by bodies recognized by the competent authority in the importing country (for example, BPJPH in Indonesia and bodies recognized by JAKIM in Malaysia). This article is for reference and does not replace legal advice. |
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