World Halal Summit, Expo launch in Istanbul

(MENAFN) The World Halal Summit and Halal Expo opened Wednesday in Istanbul, uniting global industry participants under the theme “Strengthening Halal Industry via Innovation and Excellence.” The 11th edition, held Nov. 26–29, is organized under the Turkish presidency alongside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Turkish Trade Ministry, the Halal Accreditation Agency, and other partners, with Anadolu serving as the global communications partner.

The event features B2B meetings aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises enter international markets, promote products, and expand export networks, accelerating branding and boosting trade. Country business forums will highlight investment opportunities, showcasing success stories and country-specific potentials to international investors.

Emre Ete, vice president of the World Halal Summit Council, said at the opening ceremony that “halal forms a foundation that protects justice, trust and human dignity” and ensures “quality in production, honesty in trade, trust in social relations and fairness in international relations.” He added: “Halal has become the preferred choice not only among Muslims but also among a broad range of consumers who prefer clean, reliable and ethical products,” noting that the global halal market—including the financial sector—has grown beyond $8 trillion.

Latifa El Bouabdellaou, head of the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, said that cooperation among Islamic countries in the halal sector fosters sustainable economic growth and opens major opportunities for investment and innovation. She highlighted the role of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) in unifying technical frameworks, issuing standard specifications, and establishing conformity assessment systems, adding: “We look forward to further defining sustainable development targets and building a global halal system capable of competing and thriving in international markets.”

SMIIC Governor Saad Al-Kasabi outlined three pillars of the halal ecosystem. First, unifying certifications and standards to improve efficiency, reduce redundancy, and provide clearer market insights. Second, a digital platform for applications, verification, and skills development connecting professionals and factories worldwide. Third, modern industrial and product-tracking technologies across production chains to enhance classification, improve certification accuracy, and raise quality. He emphasized: “This could reshape the future of halal globally,” reflecting growing consumer demand and investor interest in reliable, high-quality halal products.

MENAFN27112025000045017640ID1110404151