Halal Industry News

Malaysia has launched a groundbreaking global halal certification platform designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) obtain halal certification more efficiently and cost-effectively. The "HalalConnect" platform, launched by the Halal Development Corporation (HDC), represents a significant step forward in making halal certification more accessible.

The platform provides a digital end-to-end halal certification process, including application management, document verification, audit scheduling, and certification issuance. It also includes educational resources and training modules for SMEs seeking to understand halal requirements and standards.

Malaysia, as a global leader in halal certification, aims to support the growth of the halal economy by making certification more accessible to smaller businesses. The platform is expected to benefit thousands of SMEs across the country and beyond.

The platform is available to businesses in Malaysia and internationally, with plans to expand its reach to other countries in the region. It is expected to significantly reduce the time and cost of halal certification.

Global Islamic banking assets have surpassed $4 trillion for the first time, reflecting the continued growth of the Islamic finance sector worldwide. The milestone was announced by the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), which tracks the development of the Islamic finance industry.

The growth has been driven by strong demand for Sharia-compliant financial products in Muslim-majority countries and increasing interest from non-Muslim markets. Islamic banking assets have grown at an average rate of 10% annually over the past five years.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Southeast Asia remain the largest markets for Islamic banking, with significant growth also reported in Africa and Europe. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has played a key role in supporting the development of the sector.

The sector is projected to continue its growth trajectory, with some estimates suggesting that Islamic banking assets could reach $5 trillion by 2028, driven by economic growth and increasing demand for Islamic financial products.

The global modest fashion market has reached a milestone value of $450 billion in 2026, according to the latest report by the State of Global Islamic Economy. The figure represents a 12% increase from the previous year, reflecting the continued growth of the modest fashion sector.

The growth has been driven by increasing demand for modest fashion among Muslim and non-Muslim consumers, the expansion of modest fashion brands, and the entry of mainstream fashion retailers into the market. The sector has attracted significant investment from venture capital firms and established fashion houses.

The Middle East and Southeast Asia remain the largest markets for modest fashion, with significant growth also reported in Europe and North America. The online modest fashion market has seen particularly strong growth, driven by e-commerce adoption among consumers.

The report forecasts continued growth for the modest fashion sector, with the market expected to reach $550 billion by 2028, driven by demographic trends and increasing consumer spending.

The global halal tourism sector has recorded impressive growth of 15% in 2026, reaching a market value of $280 billion, according to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index. The growth has been driven by increasing numbers of Muslim travelers and the expansion of Muslim-friendly tourism offerings.

Muslim travelers spent an estimated $280 billion on international travel in 2026, up from $240 billion in 2025. The number of Muslim travelers reached 160 million, with expectations of continued growth in the coming years.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE remain the most popular destinations for Muslim travelers. The growth has also been supported by increased investment in Muslim-friendly infrastructure, including halal-certified hotels and restaurants, and prayer facilities.

The sector is projected to reach $350 billion by 2028, driven by demographic trends and continued investment in Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure and services.

The global halal food and beverage market has surpassed $2.5 trillion in value, according to the latest State of the Global Islamic Economy Report. The milestone reflects the continued growth of the halal food sector, driven by increasing demand from Muslim consumers and non-Muslims seeking quality and ethical food products.

The growth has been supported by several factors, including the expansion of halal-certified food products, the entry of major food companies into the halal market, and increasing awareness of halal standards among consumers. The sector has also benefited from advances in halal food production and technology.

Major markets for halal food include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Middle East, and South Asia, with significant growth also reported in Europe and North America. The halal food market is expected to continue growing at a rate of 6-8% annually over the next five years.

The report forecasts that the halal food and beverage market could reach $3.5 trillion by 2030, driven by demographic trends, increasing consumer spending, and the expansion of halal certification standards.