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Malaysia
This Week in AsiaEconomics

Foodpanda Malaysia looks to Middle East, South Asia as appetite for halal delivery surges

  • Foodpanda Malaysia is in talks to export its Bekal halal-specific delivery service to the Middle East, Bangladesh and Pakistan
  • Halal deliveries expected to increase to half of total deliveries after Bekal service completes nationwide roll-out by the end of this year, company’s Malaysia head says

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Foodpanda Malaysia last week rolled out its halal-only Bekal service in collaboration with the federal Islamic development department (Jakim). Photo: Handout
Joseph Sipalan
Foodpanda Malaysia is in talks with its sister operations under parent company Delivery Hero to expand halal delivery services to the Middle East and South Asia, following the launch of its first such specialised offering in the Southeast Asian country.
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The global halal economy is projected to reach US$4.96 trillion in value by 2030, according to a study by consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, as demand grows for halal products from both Muslim and non-Muslim nations. Malaysia’s government expects the domestic halal market to be valued at 400 billion ringgit (US$90.5 billion) by 2030.

Foodpanda Malaysia managing director Sayantan Das said the firm began talks to export its Bekal service to sister companies ahead of last week’s launch.

“We believe the halal certification process in Malaysia is the gold standard globally and ... there is demand for this to be exported out of Malaysia,” Sayantan told This Week in Asia.

Foodpanda Malaysia managing director Sayantan Das. Photo: Handout
Foodpanda Malaysia managing director Sayantan Das. Photo: Handout

He said over the “next six to 12 months”, the company was looking to help set up similar halal delivery services in the Middle East – where Delivery Hero reportedly spent over US$1.2 billion to acquire several delivery firms between 2015 and 2020 – and in Bangladesh and Pakistan, where Foodpanda operates.

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Foodpanda Malaysia last week rolled out its Bekal service in collaboration with the federal Islamic development department (Jakim), which oversees halal certification, offering an end-to-end guarantee that food delivered via the service adheres to the country’s strict halal guidelines.

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