From Amanina Mohamad Yusof
SHANGHAI, Nov 6 ( Bernama) -- The Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Shanghai (MIHAS@Shanghai), held in conjunction with the China International Import Expo (CIIE), serves as a smart gateway for Malaysian businesses to connect with important partners across North Asia and beyond.
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said holding MIHAS@Shanghai together with the respected CIIE 2025 is the result of its strong commitment to the deep trade relationship between Malaysia and China, a bond built on mutual respect and shared wealth over the past 50 years.
"It gives our local companies a chance to high-impact and direct gateway to build lasting relationships and increase their global visibility.
"We chose Shanghai because it's a global financial centre, a hub for new ideas, and the clear commercial pulse of the world's fastest-growing economy," he said in his speech at the MIHAS@Shanghai opening ceremony officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Reezal Merican said the event marks another major step for the global halal economy, following the success of its first international MIHAS in Dubai last year.
"We return for the sixth time to participate in this CIIE event with our flagship exhibition, MIHAS.
"For over 20 years, MIHAS has been the foundation of Malaysia's goal to be the global halal hub, building a world-class platform known for its high standards and integrity," he said.
A total of 250 Malaysian companies participated in this exhibition at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) from Nov 5-10, 2025.
Occupying the expo’s largest foreign pavilion, the 2,000-square-metre Malaysia Pavilion features products and services which include food and beverages, agriculture, fast-moving consumer goods, medical equipment, healthcare, and financial services.
Participants include federal agencies such as the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and its agencies Majlis Amanah Rakyat, SME Corp, Exim Bank, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, and Malaysian Pepper Board, alongside state governments from Selangor, Perak, Sabah, Pahang, Penang, Malacca, Sarawak and Perlis.
For the first nine months of 2025, Malaysia-China trade rose 8.6 per cent to RM385.71 billion (US$89.29 billion), or 17.3 per cent of Malaysia’s total trade.
China was Malaysia’s largest trading partner for the 16th consecutive year in 2024, with bilateral trade reaching RM484.25 billion (US$106.06 billion), or 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total trade.
Malaysia’s halal exports totalled RM61.79 billion in 2024, a 15 per cent increase from 2023, with China accounting for RM6.25 billion. It is Malaysia’s second-largest halal export market after Singapore.
-- BERNAMA