- Partnership supports Budget 2026 & HIMP 2030 in advancing Malaysia’s Halal economy
- Collaboration will enable 14,000 Halal MSMEs to access Shariah-compliant growth financing
Following the government’s announcement of Budget 2026, which places renewed emphasis on MSME empowerment, sustainable financing, and Halal ecosystem development under the 13th Malaysia Plan, microLEAP and Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) have announced a strategic partnership to expand Shariah-compliant financing opportunities for Halal-certified micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In a statement, microLEAP noted that the partnership supports Budget 2026’s focus on advancing Malaysia’s Halal economy as a key pillar of national growth, while also aligning with the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, which envisions a “Prominent, Visible and Globalised Halal Malaysia”. Specifically, the collaboration complements Strategic Thrust 4: Enhancing Quality and Integrated Infrastructure Development, by strengthening financial infrastructure and access to capital for Halal enterprises to scale and compete internationally, it added.
Through this collaboration, more than 14,000 members registered under HDC’s Halal Integrated Platform (HIP) will have access to microLEAP’s Shariah-compliant financing ecosystem, enabling them to secure funding that supports business expansion, Halal certification readiness, and growth opportunities.
microLEAP, a recognised Shariah-compliant peer-to-peer financing platform regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia, offers two core financing options tailored to MSME needs. Its micro financing product provides access to funding of up to US$12,000 (RM50,000) for smaller enterprises seeking working capital or early-stage expansion, while its invoice financing offers a soft limit of up to US$118,000 (RM500,000) for businesses with larger operational and cash flow requirements. These solutions are designed to give Halal MSMEs flexible, ethical, and transparent financing options aligned with Shariah principles.
[RM1 = US$0.22]
The partnership with HDC will also align financial readiness with certification standards, helping entrepreneurs move from being Halal-certified to becoming Halal-competitive. In addition, the collaboration aims to encourage more investors to participate in Shariah-based MSME financing, strengthening confidence in the sector’s governance and resilience.
Tunku Danny Nasaifuddin Mudzaffar, CEO of microLEAP, said the partnership represents a timely alignment between policy direction and market execution. “Our mission is to open financing pathways that are fair, transparent, and accessible. With Budget 2026 charting a clear path for sustainable and inclusive growth, Shariah-compliant financing must play a central role in empowering Halal MSMEs. Partnering with HDC allows us to scale this vision with purpose, enabling businesses to access the funding they need to grow, export, and contribute to Malaysia’s leadership in the global Halal economy.”
microLEAP claimed that since 2019, it has channeled over RM438.6 million in Shariah-compliant financing to 357 MSMEs across sectors such as trading, services, food and beverage, technology, and engineering. In Q3 2025, the platform disbursed RM57.5 million, representing a 113 per cent year-on-year increase. As of October 2025, microLEAP’s default rate has improved to 0.34 per cent, underscoring the platform’s consistent portfolio quality and prudent credit practices.
Hairol Ariffein Sahari, CEO of HDC, said the partnership reinforces Malaysia’s long-term goal to advance the Islamic economy as a pillar of national growth. “Budget 2026 and the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 both recognise the Halal sector as a driver of innovation and inclusivity. The real test for Halal businesses has never been certification alone; it has been access to capital. By bridging that gap with microLEAP, we are supporting HIMP 2030’s mission to build an integrated and competitive Halal ecosystem where businesses can grow sustainably, innovate confidently, and compete globally.”
According to both parties, the partnership between microLEAP and HDC represents a tangible step towards embedding Shariah-compliant financing within Malaysia’s broader Halal industry infrastructure. As the nation moves forward under Budget 2026 and HIMP 2030, both organisations remain committed to ensuring that Halal MSMEs are not only compliant participants in the economy but key enablers of Malaysia’s growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
