👋 Welcome to This Week’s Review!

Welcome to Halal Market Mastery! Each week, we’ll provide you with expert tips, best practices and industry developments to thrive in the booming trillion-dollar halal market. Let’s dive in!

Halal businesses must evolve with changing consumer behaviours, global trends, and tech disruptions. This week, we explore how to future-proof your halal business, highlight an established halal-certified bakery brand, and share key halal news from around the world.

📊 Fun Fact of the Day:

The global halal market is projected to reach over $8.6 trillion by 2027, encompassing sectors like food, fashion, travel, pharma, cosmetics and finance. Businesses that plan for long-term adaptability will be best positioned to capture a piece of this booming market.

📈 Future-Proofing Your Halal Business: 5 Strategies That Work

To stay competitive in the evolving global halal economy, businesses need more than compliance—they need strategic foresight. Here are five key strategies built on the H.A.L.A.L.™ framework to help you future-proof your business:

🔍 Holistic Understanding
Grasp the full halal value chain—from sourcing to marketing. A holistic view enables you to manage risks, identify opportunities, and align every function (e.g., logistics, HR, R&D) with halal values and expectations.

✅ Assurance
Halal isn’t just a label—it’s a promise. Strengthen consumer trust through robust Halal Quality Management Systems (HQMS), consistent documentation, and third-party certifications that ensure end-to-end halal integrity.

🏆 Leadership
Leadership in the halal industry means setting the benchmark—whether through superior product quality, innovative offerings, or competitive pricing. Businesses that lead in one or more of these areas earn customer trust, expand their market share, and influence industry standards.

🌍 Accessibility
Make your halal offerings easy to find, understand, and purchase. Whether it’s clearer product labelling, online availability, or multilingual resources, accessibility creates more inclusive and user-friendly customer experiences.

📍 Localisation
Adapt your halal offerings to the cultural, regulatory, and consumer preferences of different markets. From packaging design to ingredient sourcing, localisation ensures relevance and resonance in global halal markets.

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🧁 Featured Brand of the Week: Polar Puffs & Cakes

A Singapore heritage brand since 1926, Polar Puffs & Cakes is well-loved for its iconic curry puffs, pastries, and cakes. Fully halal-certified by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), Polar blends tradition with innovation, making it a trusted name among Muslim and non-Muslim consumers alike.

How Polar Embodies the H.A.L.A.L.™ Framework:

• Holistic Understanding: Offers both classic and modern treats tailored to diverse, halal-conscious customers.

• Assurance: Maintains strict quality and halal standards across all operations.

• Leadership: A market leader with consistent product quality, affordable pricing, and ongoing innovation.

• Accessibility: Available at 30+ outlets, MRT kiosks, supermarkets, and online platforms.

• Localisation: Menu features culturally familiar favourites like curry puffs and pandan cakes.

Why It Matters:
Polar shows how halal brands can stay relevant through trust, innovation, and everyday convenience—an inspiring model for halal businesses aiming to grow locally and regionally.

📰 Halal Headlines

• ASEAN and GCC approve declaration on economic cooperation

  ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) approved a declaration on economic cooperation during their second summit in Kuala Lumpur, which emphasised collaboration in trade and investment, particularly in halal industries, clean energy, food security, and addressing climate change.

• IMT-GT advancing with over RM165bil in projects, says Anwar

  The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) is progressing with US$39 billion (RM165.32 billion) in infrastructure and connectivity projects, focusing on enhancing economic transformation in the halal sector and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

• Malaysia, Indonesia to lead establishment of Asean Halal Council

  Malaysia and Indonesia are collaborating to establish the Asean Halal Council, aiming to position the region as a global leader in the halal industry by aligning policies and enhancing market access for halal products.

• Anwar, China’s Premier Li agree to boost cooperation ahead of Asean-GCC-China Summit in KL

  Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have agreed to enhance strategic cooperation, focusing on key areas such as the halal industry, trade, and green energy, ahead of the Asean-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

• Malaysia, Cambodia committed to stronger investment, cybersecurity cooperation

  During a recent bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet discussed enhancing cooperation in investment, cybersecurity, and the halal industry, emphasising mutual benefit and shared prosperity.

• Jakim, Domestic Trade Ministry step up checks on halal certificate holders after Melaka hotel breaches

  Jakim, in collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, is intensifying nationwide checks on halal certificate holders to ensure compliance with standards, particularly following the withdrawal of certificates from Melaka hotels for hosting alcohol parties.

• Vietnam taps ASEAN halal market for agricultural exports

  Vietnam is capitalising on the growing ASEAN halal market, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, to boost its agricultural exports through geographic proximity, increased demand, and strategic partnerships.

• Vietnam, Singapore cooperate to expand Halal market

  Vietnam and Singapore are collaborating to enhance their access to the global Halal market by utilising Vietnam's strong manufacturing capabilities alongside Singapore's strategic position as a commercial hub, facilitated by new-generation Free Trade Agreements.

• Vietnam proposes raising Oman investment fund to $1b

  Vietnam is proposing to raise the Vietnam-Oman Investment Fund to $1 billion to enhance funding for economic development and expand private sector participation, particularly in the Halal food market.

• Mongolia discusses possibility to import halal meat into Indonesia

  Mongolia is in discussions to export halal-certified meat to Indonesia, aiming to enhance bilateral trade and meet Indonesia's demand for halal imports.

• Russia halal poultry exports booming

  In 2024, Russia more than doubled its halal poultry exports to $211 million, part of an overall 80% increase in halal food exports, and aims for significant growth towards a potential market of $26 billion by 2030.

• StanChart steps up as Asean’s gateway to the Gulf as Islamic finance matures

  Standard Chartered is positioning itself as a key facilitator in enhancing the flow of Islamic finance between Southeast Asia and the Gulf region, anticipating significant growth in investments within this sector, expected to exceed $7.5 trillion by 2028.

• Tanmiah Food Company pens 2 MoUs with leading US companies

  Tanmiah Food Company has signed Memoranda of Understanding with Griffith Foods and Poulta to develop a halal food production and R&D facility in Saudi Arabia, aiming to position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for halal ingredients while leveraging advanced technologies for sustainable poultry production.

🔍 Explore More Halal Resources

Looking to deepen your knowledge about the halal market or find more engaging content? Check out our various platforms:

1. Halal Market Mastery Newsletters
   For weekly halal market tips, news reports, and insights to keep your business ahead.

2. Halal Practitioner Blog Posts
   Explore in-depth think pieces and market trend analysis to help you navigate the halal economy.

3. Halal Made Simple YouTube Videos
   Enjoy bite-sized, easy-to-understand halal content that’s perfect for beginners or busy professionals.

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📢 Coming Next Week…

We’ll explore The Role of Technology in Simplifying Certification Processes – from AI-driven compliance checks to blockchain-enabled transparency, discover how tech is transforming the halal certification journey and making it faster, smarter, and more accessible for businesses.

📊 We Value Your Feedback!

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how you’ve been enjoying Halal Market Mastery so far:

🚀 Ready to Future-Proof Your Halal Business?

At Halal Practitioner, we provide consultancy, coaching, and training to help businesses succeed in the halal industry. Learn more about how we can support your growth by exploring our services:

That’s all for this week!

Stay halal, and stay successful!

Best Regards,
Halal Market Mastery Team