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Malaysia's government is actively soliciting feedback from industry stakeholders to refine policies promoting local products. The move aims to coordinate efforts across multiple ministries and reduce reliance on imports while supporting domestic entrepreneurs.
The ringgit opened Friday morning stronger against most major currencies but weakened against the US dollar as markets adopted a risk-averse stance. Trump's announcement of new tariffs targeting Malaysia and other nations continues to weigh on sentiment.
The United States has announced additional tariffs of 10 to 12.5 per cent on 60 trading partners, including Malaysia, for inadequately enforcing bans on goods produced with forced labour. The action marks a significant shift toward unilateral enforcement.
Sabah's Sapangar Bay Container Port expansion has reached nearly 63% completion and is expected to finish by October 2027. Sand supply challenges and rising port congestion from increased shipping activity are prompting authorities to pursue operational improvements.
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Malaysia's Halal Home Grown Champion programme has mobilised 313 halal firms, including 158 Bumiputera and 52 women-owned businesses, generating RM187.91 million in projected sales through 2026, with MIHAS 2026 expected to boost opportunities further.
Malaysia is negotiating with Thailand and China's customs authority to create an overland durian export route, seeking to reduce shipping costs and tap smaller Chinese markets amid current oversupply.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim underscores Malaysia's pivotal position in global trade as central to its economic diplomacy, emphasising ASEAN centrality while pursuing partnerships in West Asia, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Malaysia's Investment Minister Johari Abdul Ghani has urged the World Trade Organization to modernize its framework to remain relevant amid shifting global economic priorities, including supply chain resilience and technological competition.
Malaysia is deploying 23 government-backed initiatives under its Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 to develop local halal ingredient production capacity, reduce import dependence, and strengthen supply chain resilience in the sector.