We are excited to extend an invitation for you to cover the much-anticipated 18th edition of the World Halal Business Conference (WHBC) 2026 Kuala Lumpur, organized by the Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) and hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). WHBC 2026 will be officiated by YB Senator Dr. Zulkifli Hassan, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs).

WHBC 2026 Kuala Lumpur presents a strategic opportunity that brings together leaders, policymakers, industry stalwarts, scholars, and professionals from around the globe. It aims to explore and discuss the greatest potentials and trends that lay ahead in the Global Halal ecosystem while focusing on innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth. 

Details of the event are as follows: 

Day/Date: Thursday 24 September 2026 

Time: 1:30 pm (Registration) onward

Venue: Ballroom, Level 3, MITEC – Kuala Lumpur

Theme: PROMINENT, VISIBLE AND GLOBALISED HALAL MALAYSIA 

Now in its 18th edition, WHBC 2026 takes place as HDC marks its 20th anniversary, bringing together policymakers, halal authorities, industry leaders and international stakeholders to discuss the future of the global halal economy. 

PROGRAMME 

1:30 p.m. : REGISTRATION & PRE-CONFERENCE NETWORKING 

2:00 p.m. : ARRIVAL OF DIGNITARIES

2:10 p.m. : OPENING REMARKS BY EMCEE & DOA RECITAL 

2:15 p.m. : WELCOMING REMARKS
Prof. Dr. Mohd Afandi bin Salleh, Chairman Halal Development Corporation Berhad 

2:30 p.m. : OFFICIAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The Hon. Senator Dr. Zulkifli bin Hassan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) 

2:50 p.m. : PRESENTATION OF MOMENTO & GROUP PHOTO 

3:00 p.m. : VIDEO MONTAGE OF #20TahunHDC

3:05 p.m. - 4:05 p.m. : HALAL DIPLOMACY: POLICY DIRECTIONS FOR A USD 5 TRILLION HALAL ECONOMY
This high-level panel brings together senior government officials and relevant authoritative voices to deliberate on the policy frameworks, bilateral agreements and regional cooperation mechanisms needed to capture the USD 5 trillion halal economy opportunity.

SPECIAL ADDRESS by YTH Prof. Dr. Ahmad Haikal Hassan, Head of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH)

Panelists:
1. H.E Danielle Heinecke High Commissioner of Australia to Malaysia
2. Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin Suhaimee, Director General, JAKIM
3. H.E Eng. Abdulaziz Alrushodi, Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Halal Center 

Moderator: Mr. Luqman Hariz, Anchor & Journalist, Astro AWANI

4:05 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. : IN CONVERSATION: DECODING THE STATE OF THE GLOBAL ISLAMIC ECONOMY REPORT 2025/26 
Now in its 12th edition, Dinar Standard's State of the Global Islamic Economy Report (SGIE) 2025/26 remains the world's most widely cited benchmark of the global Islamic economy, tracking developments across seven sectors — halal food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, modest fashion, travel, media & recreation, and Islamic finance. In this fireside conversation, get ready to unpack this year's key findings, emerging signals, and what they mean for halal businesses and policymakers navigating the road to 2030.

Speaker: Mr. Rafi-uddin Shikoh, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner, DinarStandard

Moderator: Mr. Mohd Dhaliff Ghaus Mohd Anuar, Head Special Project, Halal Development Corporation Berhad

4:20 p.m. - 5:05 p.m. : FROM CERTIFICATION TO COMMERCIALISATION: ACCELERATING HALAL EXPORT GROWTH
Malaysia's halal exports reached RM68.52 billion in 2025, a 10.9 percent year-on-year increase. Yet the gap between having halal-certified products and having it on shelves in Riyadh, London or Tokyo remains real. This panel examines exactly how Malaysian halal businesses across F&B, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and hospitality sectors bridge that gap.

Panelists:
1. Mr. Wan Amir-Jeffery Wan Abdul Majid, Group Chief Executive Officer, Duopharma Biotech Berhad Malaysia
2. Mr. Rajesh Singh, Executive Director, Supply Chain, Nestlé Malaysia
3. Mr. Muhammad Abbas Khan, Chief Strategy Officer, Tanmiah Food Company, Saudi Arabia

Moderator: Mr. Luqman Hariz, Anchor & Journalist, Astro AWANI

5:05 p.m. - 6:05 p.m. : BANKING ON HALAL: HOW ISLAMIC FINANCE IS POWERING MALAYSIA’S GLOBAL HALAL AMBITIONS
Malaysia's halal ambitions are inseparable from its position as the world's leading Islamic finance marketplace where it is home to RM1.58 trillion in Islamic banking assets, representing over 38% of the national banking system. This panel brings together three distinct vantage points on halal financing: an international bank connecting Malaysian halal exporters to global markets, the country's largest standalone Islamic bank serving halal businesses domestically, and the national body charged with positioning Malaysia as the world's Islamic finance hub. Together, they examine how banking, bankability and policy must align to fund the next phase of Malaysia's halal economy growth.

Panelists:
1. Mr. Bilal Parvaiz, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia
2. Mr. Tunku Danny Nasaifuddin Mudzaffar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, microLEAP
3. Ms. Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Leong Islamic Bank

Moderator: Mr. Mohammad Hafiz Jamaluddin, Head Halal Integrated Platform, Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) 

6:30 p.m. : PROGRAMME END 

Note: WHBC 2026 Kuala Lumpur programme enclosed is provisional only and subject to change  

ABOUT HALAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BERHAD (HDC)Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) spearheads the development of Malaysia’s integrated and comprehensive halal ecosystem and infrastructure to position Malaysia as the most competitive country leading the global halal industry. Established on 18 September 2006, HDC is the central coordinator that promotes participation and facilitates growth of industry players in the development of Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem. An agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI); it is the world’s first Government-backed halal industry development corporation. For more information, please visit HDC at - http://www.hdcglobal.com.

Prepared and issued by
Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) 

You are cordially invited to send a reporter and photographer/cameraman to cover this event, capturing the keynote address, interviewing distinguished speakers and attendees, and sharing valuable insights on the development of the Halal economy.

SOURCE: Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : Mohd Zamri Hassan
Tel : +6011 32651000

Name: Norsida Ahmad
Tel: +6012 3249703
Email: norsida.ahmad@hdcglobal.com

--BERNAMA