PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Malaysia’s Ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn has urged the kingdom to leverage Malaysia’s halal infrastructure, expertise, and trade promotion networks to develop its own halal industry.
He said Malaysia has long been recognised as a global model for halal economic development and has ranked first in the Global Islamic Economy Indicator for 12 consecutive years.
"Malaysia spent years building its halal ecosystem, from standards and certification to industry development, trade promotion, finance, and international market access.
"I believe that together, we can collaborate by pairing Cambodia’s ambition with Malaysia’s experience to build a highly competitive regional halal value chain,” he said at the Malaysia-Cambodia Halal Forum: Unlocking Opportunities in the Global Halal Economy event on Tuesday.
The international halal economy is currently an estimated US$3.5 trillion (RM14 trillion) consumer market and projected to hit a staggering US$5 trillion (RM20 trillion) by 2030.
Farmland-rich Cambodia is diversifying its economy by tapping the halal food and Muslim-friendly tourism sectors, aiming for a share of the fast-growing global halal economy.
Raw materials are abundant in Cambodia. Cashew nuts, cassava, bananas, palm sugar, rice, and mangoes are now reaching global markets in the form of packaged foods and snacks.
Local companies such as Lyly Food Industry Co Ltd and Leang Leng Sauce Co Ltd are already recognising these opportunities and expanding their halal product lines to meet rising local demand.
"This Halal Forum is part of our efforts to further strengthen our cooperation with Cambodia. Our aim is to share with you our experience and expertise in the development of the halal economy,” said Shaharuddin.
Malaysian Business Chamber in Cambodia (MBCC) President Tan Khee Meng said Cambodia is an ideal partner for Malaysian manufacturers because of its trade policies and key infrastructure.
"Cambodia is a right candidate for Malaysian businesses and Malaysian halal manufacturers.
"You can do the production here and export into another market. Cambodia has a young (demographic) and low-cost labour, and its middle-income group is growing,” said Tan.
The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Malaysia’s halal certification authority, is playing what may well be a pivotal role in capacity building for Cambodia’s halal sector.
Speaking to Bernama on the sidelines of the event, Jakim’s Halal Management Division Senior Assistant Secretary Siti Ayisah Surif said the agency is committed to supporting foreign halal certification bodies with information, guidance, and assistance, adding that Jakim had been providing training and engaging in several meetings over the years.
Last year, Malaysia and Cambodia's total bilateral trade surpassed the first billion-dollar mark, indicating a robust trade trajectory.
In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade surged 51.1 per cent to US$833 million (RM3.4 billion), compared with US$501 million (RM2.05 billion) in the same period last year.
The one-day forum was organised by the Malaysian Embassy in Phnom Penh, in collaboration with the Malaysian External Trade Development Agency (Matrade), Ho Chi Minh City, Jakim, and the MBCC. -- BERNAMA
