Key Takeaways
- The MIHAS Awards 2026 honored companies for excellence, innovation, and sustainability.
- For the first time, the Women in Export (WiEX) Awards recognized women-led businesses.
- The awards emphasized digital solutions and emerging technologies in the halal industry.
The MIHAS Awards 2026, a key highlight of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026, concluded at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, recognizing outstanding exhibitors in the global halal industry.
This year's awards introduced the Women in Export (WiEX) Awards, which recognized exceptional women-led businesses across the Excellence and Innovation, Sustainability & Digitalisation categories, highlighting MIHAS's commitment to promoting inclusivity.
The awards placed a stronger emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and digitalization, with a particular focus on how businesses are leveraging digital solutions and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance their products and services.
The MIHAS Awards 2026 were open to eligible Malaysian and international exhibitors participating in MIHAS 2026. Entries underwent a comprehensive evaluation process, including pre-assessment and pitching sessions before an independent panel of judges.
The winners were announced in five categories: Product/Service Excellence Awards, Product/Service Emerging Star Awards, Product/Service Innovation, Sustainability and Digitalisation Awards, WiEX Product/Service Excellence Awards, and WiEX Product/Service Innovation, Sustainability and Digitalisation Awards.
YB Dato' Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Chairman of MATRADE, stated that the evolution of the MIHAS Awards reflects the changing priorities of the global halal industry, emphasizing the need for businesses to remain future-ready.
The awards underscored the importance of innovation, sustainability, and digitalization in the halal industry, recognizing companies that are leveraging technology and responsible business practices to stay competitive.
To ensure the integrity and transparency of the awards, an independent external auditor was appointed to observe and validate the evaluation process, ensuring a fair and credible assessment.
The MIHAS Awards are no longer only about recognising excellence achieved today. They are also about recognising the capabilities that will shape the halal industry of tomorrow.
YB Dato' Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Chairman of MATRADE
