Malaysia and Japan Strengthen Ties with Halal MOUs to Boost Trade and Certification Standards

March 2024

Malaysia further solidified its position as a global halal hub by signing two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Japan. These agreements aim to enhance international halal practices and standards, improving infrastructure and halal certification in Japan and facilitating Malaysian halal industry players’ access to the Japanese market.

The first MOU involved the Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC), Malaysia’s Halal economy government agency and AEON Co (M) Berhad, a Japanese retailer that seeks to promote Malaysian halal products in Japan. In the second MOU, HDC has partnered with the Japan Halal Association (JHA) to enhance infrastructure and certification processes in Japan. Through these collaborations, HDC will provide business guidance and training programs for Malaysian halal industry players while supporting Japanese restaurants in obtaining halal certification. The collaboration is geared towards meeting the growing global demand for halal goods and services, which exceed a value of USD 3 trillion.

Furthermore, the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) anticipates a rise in Japanese seafood exports to Malaysia in 2024, attributing this to the flourishing tourism industry and the depreciation of the yen. Koichi Takano, the Managing Director of Jetro Kuala Lumpur, emphasized that Malaysia’s anticipated economic growth will also contribute to the increased demand for Japanese seafood. Despite the safety concerns relating to treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the Japanese government has thoroughly communicated the safety measures undertaken for Japanese seafood, adhering to international standards and scientific evidence.

(Sources: The Edge Malaysia; New Straits Times)

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