The 11th World Halal Summit and Halal Expo has commenced in Istanbul, bringing together global industry leaders under the theme of strengthening the halal sector through innovation. The event highlights the rapidly expanding halal market, now valued at over $8 trillion, and focuses on establishing unified international standards for halal products and services.
The World Halal Summit and accompanying Halal Expo launched Wednesday in Istanbul, gathering international industry stakeholders to explore innovation and standardization within the rapidly growing global halal market. The four-day event, running from November 26-29, operates under Turkish presidential auspices with partnerships including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Türkiye's Trade Ministry.

Economic Integration and Market Expansion
The summit program features specialized B2B meetings designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in accessing global markets and expanding their export networks. Country business forums will showcase investment opportunities to international investors, aiming to boost foreign direct investment into participating nations. World Halal Summit Council Vice President Emre Ete emphasized that the halal concept represents a foundation ensuring justice, trust, and human dignity across production, trade, and social relations.

Global Standards and Sustainable Development
Latifa El Bouabdellaoui, head of the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, highlighted in her message that cooperation among Islamic nations in the halal sector supports sustainable economic growth while creating significant investment and innovation opportunities. She noted the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries has made substantial progress in unifying technical frameworks for halal products, including establishing standard specifications and conformity assessment systems guided by Islamic principles.

Three Pillars for Future Growth
SMIIC Governor Saad Al-Kasabi outlined three fundamental pillars driving the halal sector's evolution: unifying certification standards to improve efficiency and market clarity, developing digital platforms for verification and professional connectivity, and implementing modern tracking technologies throughout production chains. He noted that the $8 trillion global halal market continues to attract both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers seeking clean, reliable, and ethically produced goods, positioning the sector for substantial future expansion across food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.