The landmark partnership is set to boost Johor’s role as ASEAN’s leading halal hub under the JS-SEZ framework.
Johor has attracted RM10 billion (US$2.1 billion) in potential high-impact halal investments from Shandong Huifa Foodstuff Co Ltd, a Shanghai-listed Chinese conglomerate and a major player in the global food and halal industry. The deal marks a milestone for Johor’s ambitions to position itself as ASEAN’s premier halal hub under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
RM10 Billion Partnership With China’s Halal Giant
The RM10 billion investment agreement was signed between PIJ Halal Ventures Sdn Bhd and Shandong Huifa Foodstuff Co Ltd on November 4, during the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS@Shanghai 2025). The ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, underscoring Malaysia’s growing trade ties with China in the halal sector.
The investment will target five key halal growth areas — frozen foods, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, halal fashion, food ingredients, and halal-based tourism services — sectors that are expected to fuel Malaysia’s export competitiveness and job creation.
Boosting Johor’s Halal Economy and Exports
According to Johor State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid, the project is expected to generate at least RM100 billion in export value over time, contributing significantly to Johor’s industrial diversification and technological upgrading.
“This achievement strengthens Johor’s position as ASEAN’s main halal hub, opening up new investment opportunities, creating highly skilled jobs, and accelerating the state’s economic transformation into a developed state,” Mohd Fared said in a Facebook statement.
Aligned With the Johor Halal Development Plan 2030
The investment falls under the Johor Halal Development Plan 2030, which outlines a strategic roadmap to integrate halal industries into the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The plan aims to attract international investors, encourage technology transfer, and enhance Johor’s global supply chain connectivity.
By leveraging its geographic proximity to Singapore and access to major shipping routes, Johor is positioning itself as a regional halal innovation and export hub, connecting ASEAN markets with China, the Middle East, and beyond.
Strengthening Malaysia-China Halal Trade Relations
The MIHAS@Shanghai 2025 event, where the deal was formalized, served as a key platform for strengthening halal trade cooperation between Malaysia and China. The participation of high-level government representatives from both countries reflects their shared interest in expanding the halal market’s potential — estimated globally at over US$2 trillion.
China’s Shandong Huifa, known for its expertise in food ingredients and halal-certified production, is expected to bring in advanced manufacturing technology, research and development capacity, and supply chain expertise to Malaysia.
A Catalyst for Johor’s Economic Transformation
The collaboration is not only a boost for Johor’s halal credentials but also a catalyst for broader economic growth within southern Malaysia. With rising demand for halal-certified goods across Asia and the Middle East, the state’s strategic alignment with global players like Shandong Huifa could elevate Johor’s standing as a gateway for halal innovation and exports.
The partnership also aligns with Malaysia’s national goals of positioning itself as a global halal hub, reinforcing its reputation for quality, compliance, and Shariah-based production standards.
Johor’s RM10 billion halal investment deal with Shandong Huifa signals a powerful step toward transforming the state into ASEAN’s halal epicentre. By combining Chinese industrial strength with Malaysian halal expertise, the collaboration could redefine regional trade flows and elevate Johor’s global profile within the halal economy. For neighbouring Singapore, the initiative opens new cross-border prospects in logistics, certification, and innovation within the JS-SEZ corridor.
Sources: The Malaysian Reserve (2025) , The Sun (2025)
Keywords: Johor Investment, Shandong Huifa, Halal Industry, Malaysia China Trade, JS-SEZ
