BMCCI seeks Malaysian support to build export-ready halal industry

The Bangladesh–Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) is seeking Malaysian support to develop Bangladesh’s halal sector and make it more export-ready through certification, technical capacity building, investment and market access.
A BMCCI business delegation led by President Md Anwar Shahid visited Kuala Lumpur and participated in the 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre. The event covers 14 industry clusters, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, modest fashion, Islamic finance, e-commerce, tourism and education, extending well beyond food, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.
During the visit, BMCCI identified eight priority areas for Bangladesh: halal awareness, export-readiness training, certification capacity, laboratory and testing infrastructure, industry-specific preparation, business-to-business connections, investment and joint ventures, and market access.
BMCCI is also exploring a Bangladesh Halal Investment Summit in 2027 to bring together investors, certification bodies, government agencies, financial institutions and international partners.
The delegation met Dato’ Mohd Asri Bin Abdullah, director of the Halal Management Division at the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), and senior officials. Discussions focused on internationally trusted certification, compliance pathways, capacity building and a possible JAKIM-supported certification mechanism in Bangladesh.

BMCCI invited JAKIM to become an institutional partner in the proposed summit and proposed a JAKIM–BMCCI Working Group for technical consultation and institutional development. JAKIM expressed willingness to provide institutional cooperation, technical guidance and human-capital development.
The delegation also held talks with the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) on bringing Malaysian halal companies to Bangladesh, joint ventures, technology transfer and Malaysian participation in Bangladeshi trade fairs. They discussed establishing a year-round cooperation mechanism with designated focal persons, business matching and market intelligence.
“Bangladesh should not look at halal merely as a certification issue. We should look at it as an industrial, investment and export opportunity,” Anwar Shahid said.
He identified an internationally recognised certification system as the biggest challenge, saying international markets require certification from recognised bodies rather than simple claims of halal compliance. He also noted that halal in Bangladesh is largely associated with food, despite covering sectors such as logistics, hotels and tourism.
BMCCI Secretary General Syed Moinuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh must move from discussion to implementation through coordination among government agencies, certification bodies, laboratories, universities and industry associations.
He said halal requires traceability throughout the production process, including slaughter methods and ingredients, and applies to cosmetics and medicines as well. Acknowledging gaps in laboratory and technical capacity, he said technological and training assistance from Malaysia had been discussed with JAKIM.