WiEX 2026 Helps Women Entrepreneurs Explore Global Halal Opportunities

MRCA Connect Circle 1.0 at Sunway University brought together industry leaders and women entrepreneurs to explore new opportunities for business growth and international markets.

Women-led businesses will have more opportunities to explore international markets as the Women in Export (WiEX) initiative returns at the 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026.

WiEX @MIHAS 2026 aims to encourage more women entrepreneurs to look beyond the Malaysian market and explore opportunities within the growing global halal economy.

Diana D Talit, Deputy Director at the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), shared that the initiative is designed to give women entrepreneurs greater exposure to international markets, while providing access to knowledge, networks and potential business opportunities.

She shared this during a talk at MRCA Connect Circle 1.0, held at Sunway University, where she encouraged more women-led businesses to consider export as part of their growth journey.

Taking Malaysian Businesses Beyond Borders

WiEX 2026 will take place alongside MIHAS 2026 from September 23 to 26 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).

Carrying the theme “Advancing Women in the Halal Economy”, the initiative will feature four main components: the WiEX Pavilion, International Sourcing Programme (INSP), WiEX Forum @MIHAS and Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita.

For entrepreneurs who have mainly focused on the domestic market, WiEX provides a chance to understand what it takes to expand internationally and learn from those who have already gone through the process.

One of the key highlights will be the WiEX Forum, where four women business leaders will share their experiences, business strategies and lessons from building their companies.

The speakers include YM Tengku Norhanim Tengku Othman, CEO and founder of NIMS Adeliousz Sdn Bhd; Jasmine Tan, co-founder of Applecrmbly Sdn Bhd; Amnah Shari, CEO of Serunai Commerce Sdn Bhd; and Amy Blair, founder of Batik Boutique.

Rather than focusing only on business success stories, the forum will give participants a closer look at how entrepreneurs adapt to changing markets, overcome challenges and prepare their businesses for growth beyond Malaysia.

Around 300 participants are expected to attend the forum.

More Than Just an Exhibition

Another important component is the WiEX Pavilion, which will feature 80 booths dedicated to women-led businesses. Of these, 60 will be allocated to Malaysian companies, while the remaining booths will feature international exhibitors.

For entrepreneurs, however, the value of participating goes beyond having a booth.

Being part of an international trade platform such as MIHAS creates opportunities to meet potential buyers, understand what overseas markets are looking for and build relationships with other businesses within the halal ecosystem.

This exposure can be particularly useful for SMEs that have a strong product or service but may still be figuring out how to take the next step into export markets.

The International Sourcing Programme will further provide opportunities for participating businesses to connect with international buyers and explore potential trade opportunities.

A Starting Point for Going Global

Moving into international markets can be intimidating, particularly for smaller businesses that may not have extensive resources or export experience.

Platforms such as WiEX can help make that first step more accessible by bringing market knowledge, experienced entrepreneurs, buyers and business networks together in one place.

For women business owners who have been thinking about expanding beyond Malaysia, WiEX 2026 could be a useful starting point to understand the opportunities available and what needs to be done before taking their businesses overseas.

Participation in the WiEX Forum is free, although seats are limited.

As Diana encouraged during her session, women entrepreneurs should take advantage of platforms such as WiEX not simply for visibility, but as an opportunity to build connections, learn from others and open new pathways towards international growth.

For Malaysian women entrepreneurs ready to look beyond the local market, the global halal economy could be their next opportunity.

Source and image from Press KL