Atlas News | Amr Yehia, from KUALA LUMPUR
MIHAS 2026, the world’s biggest halal trade showcase, gears up to open its doors at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur today, 23 September, running until 26 September 2026.
In its 22nd edition, the four-day showcase is expected to welcome 50,000 visitors from 45 countries and bring together 1,700 companies across 2,000 booths. Hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), this year’s event is targeting RM5 billion in total sales value across the exhibition and business matching programme.
In a move that positions MIHAS among Malaysia’s leading technology-enabled trade exhibitions, this year’s edition introduces a new MIHAS AI system. Trade visitors and members of the public who register through the MIHAS website will be given access to the system, which provides every participant with a dedicated AI agent and personalised support to discover businesses, engage with exhibitors and build relevant connections.
MATRADE Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Indera Abu Bakar Yusof said the AI system is designed to enhance the MIHAS experience and support the RM5 billion target. The platform brings together business matching, multilingual support, exhibition navigation, meeting management and post-event engagement to help businesses identify relevant opportunities and connect more effectively across the global halal ecosystem.
The exhibition will serve as a commercial hub for the global halal economy, with sector clusters covering food and beverages, halal ingredients, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceuticals, modest fashion, halal logistics and Islamic finance.
At the heart of the trade programme is the International Sourcing Programme (INSP), MIHAS’ flagship business-matching platform, which is expected to facilitate 4,000 meetings between 450 international buyers, including 50 premium buyers, and around 600 Malaysian exporters. Complementing this is the Hosted Buyer Programme, which will connect international exhibitors with Malaysian importers, distributors and retailers, helping them enter the Malaysian market and use Malaysia as a hub for regional expansion.
On the knowledge front, the MIHAS Knowledge Hub, established in 2021, continues as a year-round resource for Malaysian exporters, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises. Leveraging AI-driven content via the MIHAS Portal, YouTube and the MADANI Digital Trade (MDTP) platform, it delivers continuous market insights beyond the four-day show. Its flagship Power Talk 2026, themed “The Next Wave of the Halal Trade”, will feature leaders from DHL Malaysia, UOB Malaysia and Farm Fresh Berhad sharing strategies on supply chain resilience and international competitiveness. The Hub also offers Prelude and Meet the Experts webinars, alongside new spaces like the WiEX Forum and MIHAS Corner focused on emerging trends and market-entry strategies.
This year also sees Women in Export (WiEX) expand from a standalone forum into a dedicated pavilion featuring 80 booths — 60 Malaysian and 20 international — inspired by women entrepreneurs in the halal industry. The programme will include an awards ceremony recognising women-led businesses, a fireside chat with the founder of NOIR, the sponsor of the WiEX Pavilion, and a panel session with industry leaders.
Recognition of excellence will also come through the MIHAS Awards, which honour companies shaping the future of the global halal industry through excellence, innovation, sustainability and digital transformation. The awards will be presented across three categories: the Excellence Awards; the Innovation, Sustainability and Digitalisation Awards; and for the first time, the Women in Export Awards.
Other attractions include daily runway presentations showcasing modest-fashion trends and live culinary demonstrations at the MIHAS Kitchen, which has expanded to two floors this year and will host 32 top chefs across four days, up from 15 last year.
