WELLINGTON, July 18 — New Zealand has expressed its interest in joining the Asean Halal Council as an associate member, signalling a strong commitment to strengthening halal cooperation with Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal was raised during several meetings with New Zealand government officials and members of the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington.
“This is a positive development that opens wider avenues for collaboration within the halal ecosystem, not only between our two nations but across the region.
“In several of these discussions, New Zealand also agreed to position Malaysia as a strategic hub for the distribution of its halal products to Asean markets, as well as to traditional markets with established Malaysian trade links,” he said.
Zahid was speaking to the press at the conclusion of his five-day working visit to New Zealand on Saturday (Friday in Malaysia).
Also present were Malaysia’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki and the Foreign Affairs Ministry's Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Oceania Division Undersecretary John K. Samuel.
As the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, he noted that the participation of non-Asean countries like New Zealand in regional halal platforms would enhance the alignment of standards and further ensure the global marketability of halal-certified products.
Malaysia is prepared to act as a regional halal hub, offering New Zealand companies access to the Asean market through various collaborative initiatives, including participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas).
Zahid confirmed that New Zealand has agreed to participate in Mihas, scheduled for September, and will also be involved in business-matching sessions with industry players from Malaysia and other participating countries.
The five-day visit, which began on July 14, focused on enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in trade, investment, and developing the halal industry.
— Bernama
