The Libya Pavilion at the 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2026) has been inaugurated, marking a significant step in enhancing trade relations between Malaysia and Libya. The event, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), was officiated by Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Chairman of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).
Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Libya reached RM1.03b in 2025, reflecting a 38.9% increase from the previous year. In the first eight months of 2026, Malaysia’s exports to Libya rose by 73.4% year-on-year, totalling RM106.5m. Key exports include machinery, chemicals, and palm oil products.
Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican highlighted the pavilion’s role as a “bridge, a gateway into North Africa and the Mediterranean for Malaysia and ASEAN, and a launching pad into Asia’s Halal economy for our Libyan friends.” He emphasised the importance of integrating Libya’s private sector into Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem to build robust supply chains.
The Libya Pavilion is a collaborative effort between the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and the General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences. This initiative follows MATRADE’s Export Acceleration Mission to Tripoli in May 2024, which generated nearly RM250m in business opportunities.
MIHAS 2026, themed “Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience,” features 2,000 exhibitors from 58 countries and aims to generate RM5b in trade sales. As Malaysia targets RM80 billion in Halal exports by 2030, international collaborations, such as with Libya, are crucial for developing resilient global Halal supply chains.
