The Halal Standard Committee of the Muslim Religious Board of Tatarstan Receives JAKIM Accreditation (Malaysia): Opens Access to Southeast Asian Markets

At KazanForum 2025, the Halal Standard Committee of the Muslim Religious Board of the Republic of Tatarstan received official accreditation from Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) — one of the most authoritative halal certification bodies in the world.

The certificate of accreditation was personally presented to the Chairman of the Committee, Abbyas Hazrat Shlyaposhnikov, by Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin Bin Suhaimee,

Director General of JAKIM. This milestone marks a significant achievement for Russia’s halal industry: products certified under the standards of the Muslim Religious Board of Tatarstan now receive official recognition in Malaysia, Southeast Asian countries, and member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

JAKIM is Malaysia’s government body responsible for shaping national halal policy and recognizing foreign certification systems. Accreditation not only affirms the high standards of the Committee’s work but also opens the door for the export of Russian halal-certified dairy, beef, and other products to Muslim-majority markets in the region.

As part of KazanForum, a series of bilateral meetings took place, including discussions between the Director General of JAKIM and representatives of the Tatarstan Ministry of Agriculture and Agroexport. The parties discussed the streamlining of accreditation procedures for Russian enterprises and expanding access to the Malaysian market. Currently, Russian dairy products and beef are already being exported, and negotiations are underway for the inclusion of poultry products.

Key messages from heads of state
President of Russia Vladimir Putin, commenting on the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, noted:

“In 2024, trade between Russia and Malaysia exceeded 3.2 billion dollars. Russian producers are keen to expand exports of high-quality dairy and meat products to Malaysia, including those compliant with the Islamic halal standard.”

He also acknowledged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s role in advancing bilateral relations:

“The Prime Minister of Malaysia is making a significant personal contribution to the development of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere. Last year, he was the guest of honor at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, and this year, he is participating in KazanForum in Tatarstan.”

President Putin added that the full range of bilateral cooperation was discussed — including trade, energy, and humanitarian initiatives. He also mentioned growing agricultural supplies, ongoing fertilizer imports, and talks about launching direct air travel between the two countries.

 

What JAKIM accreditation means for Russian producers:

• Access to new export markets: Malaysia is one of the world’s leading halal industry hubs, and its recognition grants entry to the broader Southeast Asian region.

• Increased credibility: Recognition by JAKIM significantly raises the international reputation of Russian companies and their halal-certified products.

• Direct connection to Islamic consumers: OIC countries apply strict halal standards, and JAKIM accreditation facilitates access to these markets.

The JAKIM accreditation is a major step in the development of the Halal Standard Committee of the Muslim Religious Board of Tatarstan and enhances the global visibility of Russian halal-certified producers. It also reaffirms the high standards of quality and transparency in the Committee’s certification system.

Photo credit: Organizing Committee of KazanForum 2025