KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) – Malaysia’s halal industry is poised for further growth, with financial assistance under Budget 2027 aimed at strengthening local businesses, improving product competitiveness and preparing them for expanding market opportunities.
In a statement, Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC), an agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), said it would align its Developmental Programme 2027 with the budget’s priorities, focusing on business modernisation, productivity, capability development and export readiness.
HDC Chief Executive Officer Hanisofian Alias said the assistance would help local companies overcome barriers to halal certification, strengthen their operations and access wider markets.
“Assistance for first-time halal certification applications, as well as support for halal micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including those in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors, can help address some of the barriers businesses face in meeting market requirements and expanding their operations,” he said.
HDC will also continue helping local companies move beyond compliance, improve their commercial readiness and compete more effectively in domestic and international markets.
To support first-time applicants, HDC will continue strengthening its Halal Compliance Capability Acceleration Intervention Programme (PIMKPH), which helps MSMEs understand and meet the requirements of the Malaysian Halal Certification Scheme (SPHM).
The initiative complements a MYR5,000 matching grant by helping ease first-time certification costs and improve businesses’ documentation and operational readiness.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, announced the grants when tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat. They include up to MYR5,000 for first-time halal certification applications and MYR25,000 for halal MSMEs, particularly those in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors.
HDC’s Halal Home Grown Champion 3.0 initiative, running from 2027 to 2030, aims to help 110 participating companies, or 50 per cent of the total, become export-ready.
It also targets at least a 10 per cent increase in sales value, with at least two participating companies expected to produce environmental, social and governance reports.
The agency said Budget 2027 measures would complement these efforts. HDC will also facilitate access to international markets through the Malaysia Global Halal Show, which supports Malaysian companies at overseas trade exhibitions through business-to-business matching, networking, market briefings and promotional activities.
Source : Borneo Bulletin