The Malaysia International Halal Trade and Exhibition Centre (MIHAS) 2026 is set to open its doors at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur on 23 September. The four-day event, now in its 22nd edition, is expected to welcome 50,000 visitors from 45 countries and bring together 1,700 companies across 2,000 booths. This year's event is targeting RM5 billion in total sales through the exhibition and its business-matching programme.
MIHAS 2026 is hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). The event aims to position itself among Malaysia's leading technology-enabled trade exhibitions. This year's edition will introduce a new MIHAS AI system, providing each participant with a dedicated AI agent and personalised assistance to discover businesses, engage with exhibitors, and establish relevant commercial connections.
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. The International Sourcing Programme (INSP), MIHAS' flagship business-matching platform, is expected to facilitate 4,000 meetings between 450 international buyers and around 600 Malaysian exporters.
The MIHAS Knowledge Hub, established in 2021, continues to serve as a year-round resource for Malaysian exporters, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises. The hub provides continuous market insights through AI-driven content delivered through the MIHAS Portal, YouTube, and the MADANI Digital Trade Platform (MDTP). Its flagship Power Talk 2026 will bring together leaders from DHL Malaysia, UOB Malaysia, and Farm Fresh Berhad to share strategies on supply-chain resilience and international competitiveness.
This year, Women in Export (WiEX) will expand from a standalone forum into a dedicated pavilion featuring 80 booths, showcasing women entrepreneurs in the halal industry. The programme will include an awards ceremony recognising women-led businesses and a panel discussion featuring industry leaders. Excellence across the halal sector will also be recognised through the MIHAS Awards, honouring companies helping shape the future of the global halal industry.
Other attractions at MIHAS 2026 include daily runway presentations showcasing the latest modest-fashion trends and live culinary demonstrations at the MIHAS Kitchen. The kitchen has expanded to two floors this year and will host 32 leading chefs over the four-day event. MATRADE Chief Executive Officer Dato' Indera Abu Bakar Yusof said the AI system was designed to enhance the MIHAS experience and support the RM5 billion sales target.
The event is expected to facilitate stronger trade and investment links between Malaysia and other countries, including Egypt. Egypt and Malaysia have been seeking stronger trade and investment links, as seen in a recent forum held in Cairo. With its focus on technology and innovation, MIHAS 2026 aims to drive growth in the global halal industry and provide new opportunities for businesses to connect and expand their reach.
Key points
- The 22nd edition of MIHAS is expected to welcome 50,000 visitors from 45 countries and bring together 1,700 companies across 2,000 booths.
- The event aims to position itself among Malaysia's leading technology-enabled trade exhibitions, introducing a new MIHAS AI system to enhance the visitor experience.
- The exhibition will serve as a commercial hub for the global halal economy, with sector clusters covering various industries.
