{"id":7018,"date":"2026-01-05T10:44:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T01:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/souqtimes.com\/?p=7018"},"modified":"2026-01-05T10:46:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T01:46:12","slug":"chinese-muslim-entrepreneurs-look-to-malaysia-as-a-launchpad-for-global-halal-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/souqtimes.com\/ja\/trade\/7018\/","title":{"rendered":"Chinese Muslim Entrepreneurs Look to Malaysia as a Launchpad for Global Halal Markets"},"content":{"rendered":"

| By SCMP<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Malaysia is increasingly positioning itself as a strategic gateway for Muslim-owned businesses from China seeking wider access to the global halal economy, as reflected in the growing scale of a Chinese Muslim food festival held in Kuala Lumpur.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Festival That Signals Bigger Ambitions<\/b><\/h2>\n

At the outdoor grounds of 1 Utama Shopping Mall, the aroma of cumin, chilli, and charcoal-grilled lamb fills the air as vendors prepare traditional dishes such as Lanzhou beef noodles, Xinjiang-style lamb skewers, and hand-pulled noodles. Now in its third year, the Chinese Muslim Food Festival has become a focal point for culinary exchange \u2014 and a business springboard.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 11-day event, running until January 4, features around 60 vendors offering food, art, and handicrafts, most of them from China\u2019s Muslim-majority regions. Organizers say the festival\u2019s rising popularity reflects growing confidence among Chinese Muslim entrepreneurs in Malaysia\u2019s halal ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trust as the Missing Link in Global Expansion<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to festival organizer Shoaib Ma, a Lanzhou-born restaurateur and food influencer, China\u2019s halal industry has significant production capacity but faces credibility challenges abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChina can produce at scale, but trust is the issue. Many people outside China are unaware that there are Muslim communities and halal-certified factories operating there,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

China is home to an estimated 30 million Muslims, spread across regions such as Xinjiang, Ningxia, Gansu, and Qinghai, as well as major cities like Xi\u2019an. Despite this, Chinese halal products often encounter skepticism in overseas Muslim markets due to limited familiarity with China\u2019s halal certification systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Malaysia\u2019s Halal Credentials as a Global Benchmark<\/b><\/h2>\n

In contrast, Malaysia is widely recognized as a gold standard in halal assurance. With Muslims comprising around 60 per cent of its 34 million population, the country\u2019s halal certification framework \u2014 overseen by Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) \u2014 enjoys broad international recognition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Malaysia\u2019s halal food and beverage exports are projected to reach US$12.9 billion in 2025, while the global halal food market is expected to be worth nearly US$2 trillion this year, according to industry estimates. The country has topped the halal food category in the Global Islamic Economy Index for 11 consecutive years.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Festival Booths to Permanent Footprints<\/b><\/h2>\n

Several businesses that participated in earlier editions of the festival have since established restaurants, factories, or distribution operations in Malaysia. This reflects a broader strategy encouraged under Malaysia\u2019s Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, which actively invites foreign producers to manufacture locally and export to Muslim markets in the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur plan is to make Malaysia our international halal hub. We set up operations here, obtain JAKIM certification, and export from Malaysia to Muslim markets worldwide,\u201d<\/em> Ma explained.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Growing Interest from Beyond Southeast Asia<\/b><\/h2>\n

Among the exhibitors is Moustache Wang Catering, a family-run business from Xinjiang that operates dozens of restaurants and multiple factories in China. While the company does not yet have a Malaysian entity, its packaged halal products are attracting attention from overseas buyers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been interest from Australia, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia,\u201d<\/em> said Ismail, the company\u2019s 29-year-old owner, pointing to a takeaway bowl of lamb soup noodles priced at 15 ringgit (US$3.20).<\/span><\/p>\n

Expanding the Halal Marketplace<\/b><\/h2>\n

The festival highlights cuisines associated with the Hui Muslim community and Xinjiang, influenced by Central Asian culinary traditions. Visitors have arrived not only from Malaysia but also from Singapore and other countries, organizers noted.<\/span><\/p>\n

William Ng, president of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia, described the initiative as an expansion rather than competition. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis broadens the halal market. There are very few Malaysian businesses offering Lanzhou noodles or Xinjiang-style halal products,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Trade Ties Strengthen the Halal Corridor<\/b><\/h2>\n

Food and agriculture have become among the fastest-growing segments in Malaysia\u2013China trade, alongside Malaysia\u2019s exports of halal-certified products, palm oil, and premium agricultural goods to China. Chinese firms, in turn, increasingly see Malaysia as a strategic base for reaching Muslim consumers globally.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has described China as Malaysia\u2019s most important trading partner, citing long-term cooperation and shared economic interests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking ahead, Ma said similar festivals are planned in Indonesia, Central Asia \u2014 starting with Uzbekistan \u2014 followed by the Middle East, Europe, and North America.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMuslim populations are growing rapidly in many regions, but Malaysia is where we begin,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Source:<\/b>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

South China Morning Post. (2025). <\/span>Muslim businesses in China target Malaysia as global halal gateway<\/span><\/i>. https:\/\/amp.scmp.com\/week-asia\/economics\/article\/3338263\/muslim-businesses-china-target-malaysia-global-halal-gateway<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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