Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh has called for greater cooperation in halal trade and business with Malaysia, emphasising the need to strengthen bilateral economic ties, increase market access for Bangladeshi halal products, and foster joint ventures and investment opportunities.
Speaking at the event on Sunday, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury emphasised the country’s strong interest in deepening halal trade partnerships between the two nations, a press release said.
He made the remarks during Bangladesh’s second participation in the “Malacca International Halal Festival 2025,” held at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Malaysia’s historic Malacca state from 16 to 19 October.
The High Commissioner sought the support of Malacca Chief Minister YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf bin Yusoh in expanding halal trade links and expressed optimism that more Bangladeshi companies would participate in future editions of the festival.
“Bangladesh looks forward to enhancing halal trade with Malaysia and broadening the market for Bangladeshi products in the ASEAN region,” the envoy said, briefing guests during their visit to the Bangladesh pavilion.
He highlighted Bangladesh’s wide range of exportable products, including ready-made garments, jute and leather goods, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and food and beverage items, noting their strong potential in Malaysia and across the ASEAN market.
The High Commissioner presented a selection of Bangladeshi products as souvenirs to the Malacca Chief Minister and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to promoting halal-certified goods and strengthening trade relations through collaboration and participation in trade fairs.
The four-day festival, organised by the Melaka Islamic Religion Council (MAIM) under the patronage of the Malacca State Government, featured 400 exhibition booths across nine clusters, including food and beverage, halal fashion, and halal tourism.
Exhibitors from eight countries – Bangladesh, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Iran, Taiwan, and Malaysia – took part in the event.
The festival was formally inaugurated on 18 October by Chief Minister YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf bin Yusoh.
Distinguished guests included Senator Dato’ Setia Dr Haji Mohd Na’im bin Haji Mokhtar, Minister in the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), as well as delegations from Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore, alongside senior officials from the Malacca State Cabinet and Malaysian government departments.
With support from the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, the country was represented by leading food and beverage conglomerate PRAN, which showcased a wide array of halal-certified products.
The participation aimed to strengthen Bangladesh’s presence in Malaysia’s growing halal market and create new business opportunities for exporters beyond Kuala Lumpur.
In 2025 alone, Bangladesh has participated in four international trade fairs in Malaysia as part of efforts to raise the visibility of its products and services across the ASEAN region.
The Bangladesh pavilion also highlighted the upcoming Global Sourcing Expo 2025, scheduled for December in Dhaka, and provided information on export, investment, and tourism opportunities.
Throughout the festival, numerous business representatives, distributors, and visitors engaged with the Bangladesh booth, demonstrating keen interest in its products and exploring potential collaborations in the halal sector.
The Malacca International Halal Festival continues to serve as a key platform for promoting halal-certified products, fostering regional trade, and enhancing cooperation between Muslim-majority countries.
