MIHAS 2026 isn’t just about halal product exhibits. This year also marks the debut of WiEX (Women in Export) @ MIHAS, a new initiative by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) designed specifically to boost women-led business participation in the global halal economy.
What is WiEX?
WiEX @ MIHAS launches as a follow-up to the success of the inaugural WiEX Forum in 2025. This year, the initiative is anchored on the theme “Advancing Women in the Halal Economy” and runs alongside MIHAS 2026 from 23–26 September at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur. Its focus is helping women-owned and women-led businesses scale up into global export markets within the halal economy.
Four Core Components of WiEX @ MIHAS 2026
- WiEX Pavilion: a dedicated pavilion showcasing women-owned and women-led enterprises across MIHAS’ 14 halal industry sectors.
- International Sourcing Programme (INSP): business matching sessions with international buyers, distributors, retailers, and investors.
- WiEX Forum @MIHAS: a knowledge-sharing forum addressing issues shaping the future of global trade.
- Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita: an award recognising outstanding women entrepreneurs.
The Scale of the WiEX Pavilion
The WiEX Pavilion offers a total of 80 booths, 60 for Malaysian companies and the rest for international exhibitors. Through INSP, MATRADE is bringing in 300 buyers from various countries to connect with companies at the pavilion, targeting more than 120 business matching sessions.
WiEX Forum: “Thriving Through Uncertainty”
The forum carries the theme “Thriving Through Uncertainty: How Women Exporters Can Adapt, Compete, and Grow,” featuring industry leaders, policymakers, and successful exporters sharing insights on navigating global trade dynamics, leveraging digitalisation and artificial intelligence, diversifying into new markets, and building resilient, sustainable businesses.
Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita
This award celebrates outstanding achievements by women exporters across three categories: Product Excellence, Service Excellence, and Innovation & Sustainability Excellence. Recipients receive enhanced visibility through MATRADE and MIHAS platforms, including strategic profiling opportunities and priority access to selected export promotion programmes.
Why It Matters
The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s target of reaching RM80 billion in halal export value by 2030, underscoring that empowering women entrepreneurs is treated as a core part of that strategy, not a side programme. For Moslem Journey readers, WiEX is also relevant because many modest fashion, cosmetics, and Muslim lifestyle brands in the global halal market are in fact driven by women entrepreneurs.
Moslem Journey will be following the WiEX Pavilion and WiEX Forum closely throughout MIHAS 2026. Stay tuned for full coverage.
