KUALA LUMPUR, 13 JULY 2026: The Women in Export (WiEX) platform will be launched through WiEX @MIHAS, a dedicated initiative by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) during the 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026.
Set to take place from 23 to 26 September 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, the platform reflects MATRADE’s commitment to advancing women’s participation in international trade, empowering women-owned and women-led businesses to scale beyond domestic markets and seize global export opportunities within the rapidly expanding halal economy.
Building on the success of the inaugural WiEX Forum in 2025, WiEX @MIHAS 2026 will be anchored on the theme “Advancing Women in the Halal Economy” and comprise four integrated components:
- WiEX Pavilion – A dedicated showcase featuring women-owned and women-led enterprises across MIHAS’ 14 halal industry sectors
- International Sourcing Programme (INSP) – Facilitating targeted business matching sessions with international buyers, distributors, retailers and investors
- WiEX Forum @MIHAS – A high-impact knowledge-sharing platform addressing key issues shaping the future of global trade
- Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita – Recognising outstanding women entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and leadership in export markets.
The WiEX Pavilion will bring together women entrepreneurs from Malaysia and around the world, highlighting innovative halal products and services, sustainable business practices and export-ready solutions.
A total of 80 booths have been allocated under the WiEX Pavilion, comprising 60 booths for Malaysian companies and the remaining booths for international exhibitors. Malaysian companies participating in the WiEX Pavilion will have the opportunity to engage in pre-arranged business matching sessions with international buyers facilitated by MATRADE. This year, MATRADE is bringing in 300 buyers from various countries under its International Sourcing Programme (INSP) to connect them with Malaysian companies. MATRADE aims to facilitate more than 120 business matching sessions for Malaysian companies participating in the WiEX Pavilion.
Through dedicated networking opportunities and integration with MIHAS’ renowned International Sourcing Programme (INSP), participating companies will gain direct access to international decision-makers and potential business partners.
A key highlight of the platform is the WiEX Forum @MIHAS, themed “Thriving Through Uncertainty: How Women Exporters Can Adapt, Compete, and Grow.” The forum will feature industry leaders, policymakers and successful exporters sharing insights on navigating evolving global trade dynamics, leveraging digitalisation and artificial intelligence, diversifying into new markets and building resilient and sustainable businesses.
Complementing these initiatives is the Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita, which celebrates exceptional achievements by women exporters across three categories: Product Excellence, Service Excellence, and Innovation & Sustainability Excellence. Award recipients will receive enhanced visibility through MATRADE and MIHAS platforms, strategic profiling opportunities, and priority access to selected export promotion programmes.
“A halal economy that doesn’t fully harness the talent of its women entrepreneurs is only operating at half its potential. WiEX@MIHAS puts women entrepreneurs in the lead, driving innovation, quality, and market agility in the halal economy. And every woman who grows through it brings us closer to our RM80 billion halal export target by 2030, that’s not just good policy, its good economics,” said Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Chairman of MATRADE.
“Women entrepreneurs are increasingly driving innovation, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth across industries. Through WiEX @MIHAS 2026, MATRADE aims to provide a comprehensive ecosystem that brings together business opportunities, strategic partnerships, capacity building and recognition under one platforms, that equips women-led businesses with the networks, knowledge and market access needed to strengthen their export capabilities and compete globally in the Halal marketplace,” said Abu Bakar Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE.
For companies that are interested in participating in WiEX @ MIHAS 2026 may submit their interest to the following officers:
Ms Noor Asiah Mahmud
Tel: 03-62077606
Email: noorasiah@matrade.gov.my
Ms Shafinaz Riza Zamhari
Tel: 03-62077362
Email: iza@matrade.gov.my
For Halal businesses interested in exhibiting at MIHAS 2026, the world’s premier halal trade platform, please register through the official MIHAS exhibitor registration page at www.mihas.com.my, in line with the event’s focus on connecting global buyers and suppliers across key halal industry clusters.
For more information, please contact:
Aninawati Saleh
Head of Corporate Communication
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)
Tel (Direct) : 03 – 6207 7077 (7826)
Email : communication@matrade.gov.my
About WiEX @MIHAS
Women in Export (WiEX) @MIHAS is a dedicated export empowerment platform introduced at MIHAS 2026 to support women-owned and women-led businesses in expanding into international markets. Through its integrated ecosystem comprising the WiEX Pavilion, International Sourcing Programme (INSP), WiEX Forum @MIHAS and Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita, the platform seeks to enhance export readiness, facilitate global market access and strengthen women’s participation in the halal economy.
About Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026
Since it began in 2004, the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) has grown into a major platform for Halal trade and has helped strengthen the global industry’s position in Halal standards, governance, and market access. Recognised as a Guinness World Records holder and hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) as organiser, MIHAS now covers 14 sectors, from food and beverages and pharmaceuticals to Islamic finance, modest fashion, personal care, technology, services, and Muslim-friendly tourism. The 22nd edition of MIHAS, themed “Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience”, will focus on regulated-by-design governance and technology-enabled trade.
About MATRADE
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) was established on 1 March 1993 as the national trade promotional arm under Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
MATRADE’s primary role is to assist Malaysian exporters in developing and expanding their export markets. Aligned with Malaysia’s commercial diplomacy efforts, MATRADE is the nation’s trade facilitator and champion of Malaysian-made products and services on the global stage.
