JAKARTA – Malaysia, serving as ASEAN Chair this year, has expressed strong appreciation for New Zealand’s interest in joining or contributing to the ASEAN Halal Council, marking a potential expansion of halal industry collaboration beyond Southeast Asia.

High-Level Diplomatic Engagement

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, representing Malaysian authorities at New Zealand’s Halal Diplomacy event, emphasized that the halal industry transcends religious boundaries. He articulated that halal represents universal values including trust, transparency, and accountability that connect communities across different races and religions.

“I am pleased to learn of New Zealand’s willingness to join the ASEAN Halal Council, a platform that will harmonize standards and strengthen competitiveness at the global level,” Ahmad Zahid stated, as quoted by BERNAMA news agency on Tuesday.

Halal as Universal Standard

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that halal is not exclusively for Muslims but symbolizes the highest standards in quality, safety, and integrity across multiple sectors including:

• Food and beverages
• Banking and finance
• Insurance services
• Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals

This comprehensive approach positions halal certification as a mark of excellence that appeals to consumers regardless of religious affiliation, emphasizing ethical production, quality assurance, and consumer protection.

ASEAN’s Strategic Market Position

During the event attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Ahmad Zahid highlighted ASEAN’s significant market potential. With a population approaching 700 million people, the ASEAN region represents a massive halal market opportunity.

Malaysia aims to position itself as the halal gateway for ASEAN, with New Zealand serving as a trusted strategic partner in this endeavor. This partnership could facilitate New Zealand’s access to the broader Southeast Asian market while contributing expertise and resources to halal industry development.

Broader Strategic Partnership

Ahmad Zahid encouraged New Zealand to consider Malaysia as a strategic partner extending beyond halal industry development. He emphasized opportunities for wider cooperation to address both regional and global challenges, suggesting that the halal collaboration could serve as a foundation for deeper bilateral relations.

ASEAN Halal Council Background

Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to lead the establishment of the ASEAN Halal Council, with both nations intending to position ASEAN as a global halal hub.

Indonesia’s Market Potential

Indonesia, with a total population of approximately 286 million people—the majority of whom are Muslims—represents a substantial market for the global halal industry. This demographic advantage, combined with growing consumer awareness and purchasing power, makes Indonesia a crucial player in the regional halal ecosystem.

Malaysia’s Leadership Role

As ASEAN Chair and a recognized leader in halal certification and standards, Malaysia brings established infrastructure, expertise, and international credibility to the council’s development.

Significance of New Zealand’s Interest

New Zealand’s potential participation in the ASEAN Halal Council carries multiple strategic implications:

Export Opportunities

New Zealand’s agricultural and dairy sectors could gain enhanced access to ASEAN’s halal-conscious consumer base through standardized certification processes.

Standards Harmonization

Participation would help align New Zealand’s halal certification with ASEAN standards, reducing trade barriers and compliance complexities.

Technology Transfer

New Zealand’s advanced food safety systems and agricultural technologies could benefit ASEAN members while learning from the region’s halal expertise.

Market Access

Formal involvement with the council could streamline market entry for New Zealand products across Southeast Asia’s diverse regulatory landscapes.

Global Halal Industry Context

The halal industry represents one of the fastest-growing sectors in global commerce. Key factors driving this growth include:

• Expanding Muslim populations worldwide
• Increasing consumer awareness about ethical consumption
• Growing middle-class purchasing power in Muslim-majority countries
• Recognition of halal standards as markers of quality and safety
• Cross-over appeal to non-Muslim consumers seeking ethical products

Regional Economic Integration

The potential inclusion of New Zealand in the ASEAN Halal Council aligns with broader trends of regional economic integration and demonstrates how specialized sectoral cooperation can transcend traditional geographic boundaries.

ASEAN’s Open Regionalism

This development exemplifies ASEAN’s approach of engaging external partners in specific areas of mutual benefit while maintaining regional coherence.

Economic Complementarity

New Zealand’s strengths in agriculture, food processing, and quality assurance complement ASEAN’s large consumer markets and growing halal certification infrastructure.

Implementation Considerations

For New Zealand’s participation to be effective, several elements would require attention:

Regulatory Alignment

Ensuring New Zealand’s halal certification processes meet ASEAN Halal Council standards while respecting domestic regulatory frameworks.

Industry Engagement

Involving New Zealand businesses, particularly in food production and processing, to understand and support the collaboration.

Capacity Building

Developing expertise within New Zealand’s certification bodies to effectively implement and monitor halal standards.

Market Intelligence

Creating systems to help New Zealand exporters understand and navigate diverse halal requirements across ASEAN markets.

Broader Implications

This diplomatic engagement between Malaysia, ASEAN, and New Zealand carries significance beyond bilateral trade:

Model for Cooperation

It demonstrates how religious and cultural considerations can be incorporated into international trade frameworks constructively.

Quality Assurance

Emphasizes the evolution of halal from purely religious compliance to comprehensive quality and ethical standards.

Inclusive Growth

Shows how specialized certification systems can facilitate inclusive economic participation across diverse societies.

Conclusion

Malaysia’s welcoming response to New Zealand’s interest in the ASEAN Halal Council represents a significant development in regional economic cooperation. By framing halal as a universal standard of quality, safety, and ethical production rather than merely a religious requirement, the initiative opens possibilities for broader international participation.

For ASEAN, this collaboration could accelerate the region’s ambition to become a global halal hub by incorporating developed-country expertise and market access. For New Zealand, it offers a strategic pathway to one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets while aligning with growing global interest in ethical and sustainable production.

As the ASEAN Halal Council takes shape under Malaysia and Indonesia’s leadership, the potential inclusion of partners like New Zealand signals an inclusive, standards-driven approach that could set new benchmarks for international halal trade and cooperation.

The success of this initiative will depend on effective harmonization of standards, genuine commitment from all parties, and recognition that halal certification serves as a bridge connecting diverse communities through shared values of quality, integrity, and accountability.

Original Article:

Antara News. (2025, October 28). Malaysia apresiasi ketertarikan Selandia Baru gabung Dewan Halal ASEAN. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/amp/s/sulteng.antaranews.com/amp/berita/364273/malaysia-apresiasi-ketertarikan-selandia-baru-gabung-dewan-halal-asean