Neighbouring countries, Indonesia and Malaysia, are important global players in halal industries. Aspiring to be leaders amongst the halal global players, the two countries are refining their halal ecosystems to strengthen their global halal industry performance. But what does it mean for the local halal industries? Drawing on ethnographic research in Indonesia (Jakarta, Yogyakarta) and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Selangor), from 2022 to the present, this presentation will focus on the ways in which each country supports local halal industries by initiating professionalisation of the industries. Professionalisation of the industries is evident from the way the two countries standardise halal experts, halal executives and auditors. Halal development institutions in both countries aspire to educate business players, especially micro and small enterprises, about halal not only being about religion but also about industry and market expansion. This halal top-down approach was introduced decades ago, however, professionalisation of industry experts can be seen from 2019 onwards. How do micro and small halal business players respond to professionalisation of the industry? Are there gaps between government aspirations and micro and small industry players? These issues are analysed by focusing on the entangled relationships between standardisation, capitalism, the state and religion in the two largest Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia.