Official opening with broad international participation
His Excellency the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, inaugurated today the third edition of the “Makkah Halal Forum 2026,” held at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Exhibition and Events Center under the theme “Halal: A Professional Industry.” The forum will run for three days, from February 14 to 16, and will feature a distinguished gathering of leaders, decision-makers, and representatives of regulatory bodies and economic institutions involved in the halal industry from around the world, reflecting the growing importance of the Kingdom as a global hub for this vital sector.
General context and strategic importance of the halal industry
The halal industry is no longer limited to food products; it has evolved to encompass broad and diverse sectors such as Islamic finance, tourism, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, forming a massive global economy valued at trillions of dollars. In this context, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, thanks to its position as the heart of the Islamic world and the cradle of Islam, possesses unique advantages that qualify it to lead this sector. The Makkah Halal Forum is a practical embodiment of this vision, aiming to transform the industry from a mere consumer market into an integrated economic system based on governance, transparency, and the highest quality standards.
The forum's impact at the local, regional, and international levels
Domestically, the forum is a key contributor to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by diversifying national income sources and strengthening non-oil sectors. It also provides a competitive environment that supports innovation and empowers entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Regionally, the forum promotes economic integration among Islamic countries and unites efforts to establish reliable halal certification standards. Internationally, the forum serves as a global dialogue platform aimed at overcoming trade barriers related to multiple accreditation bodies and building bridges of trust with global markets, as evidenced by the broad participation from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Malaysia, and Turkey.
Quality initiatives and strategic agreements
The opening ceremony witnessed the launch of several key initiatives aimed at strengthening the infrastructure of the halal industry, most notably the unveiling of the “Golden Halal” logo, a global mark of trust reflecting the highest standards of quality and reliability. The launch of the “Halal Academy” was also announced, designed to train human resources and develop expertise in this field. On the international cooperation front, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce oversaw the signing of strategic memoranda of understanding between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and both the Halal Product Guarantee Agency of Indonesia and the Central Islamic Council of Thailand, with the goal of unifying standards and expanding the mutual recognition of certificates issued by the Kingdom.
A platform for decision-making and a vision for the future
The Chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, Abdullah Saleh Kamel, affirmed that the forum, in its third edition, has transformed from a platform for dialogue into a platform for decision-making, aiming to redefine the halal industry and shape its future. He explained that holding the forum in Mecca lends it special symbolic significance, as it embodies the values of integrity, quality, and commitment that represent the core of the halal industry, values sought by global consumers today more than ever before.
