The 11th World Halal Summit and Expo opened its doors in Istanbul on Wednesday, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, investors, and businesses from across the Muslim world to discuss the rapidly expanding global halal market.

The four-day event, held under the auspices of the Turkish presidency, is being organized in partnership with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Türkiye’s Trade Ministry, the Halal Accreditation Agency, and several key sectoral institutions.

This year’s summit is expected to be one of the largest to date, reflecting the increasing global demand for halal-certified products and services. With participation from dozens of countries, the program features conferences, exhibitions, investment forums, and high-level policy sessions aimed at strengthening the halal economy’s international footprint.

Focus on Global Trade, SME Growth, and Market Expansion

A major highlight of the summit is its extensive B2B meeting program designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to organizers, these meetings serve as a crucial platform for helping businesses enter new markets, form global partnerships, and develop long-term export strategies.

The B2B sessions also aim to accelerate branding processes for emerging halal producers, giving them access to international buyers, distributors, and certification authorities. Participants say the initiative contributes directly to diversifying global supply chains and improving the visibility of halal-certified goods.

Country-specific business forums — another major component of the summit — provide foreign investors with valuable briefings on national economic environments, incentives, regulatory frameworks, and successful investment models. Through presentations and case studies, participating countries showcase their capabilities to attract new capital and strengthen cross-border cooperation.

President Erdoğan: ‘Halal Industry Serves Nearly 2 Billion People’

In a message marking the official opening of the summit, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan underlined the scale and potential of the halal economy, which now serves nearly 2 billion consumers worldwide. He noted that the halal market has grown into a global sector valued at approximately $7 trillion, spanning food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, finance, tourism, textiles, logistics, and digital services.

Erdoğan emphasized that the World Halal Summit continues to play a critical role as the largest global platform for promoting halal standards, fostering trust, and supporting safe and ethical production practices. The president added that the event not only strengthens cooperation among Muslim-majority nations but also attracts significant interest from non-Muslim countries seeking to tap into the expanding halal demand.

Trade Minister Bolat Warns of Growing Global Economic Pressures

Addressing the opening ceremony, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat highlighted the economic challenges currently confronting the global community. He pointed to rising protectionism, the steady increase in customs duties, and disruptions in trade flows, all of which place additional pressure on developing economies.

Bolat stressed that these conditions make it even more essential for Islamic countries to reinforce economic unity, strengthen production capabilities, and build resilient trade networks among themselves. He called for greater solidarity, emphasizing that enhanced cooperation is key to protecting the interests of Muslim societies and ensuring sustainable development during times of uncertainty.

A Strategic Platform for the Future of the Halal Market

With global demand for halal-certified goods growing across continents, industry analysts say this year’s summit is poised to set new benchmarks for the sector’s future. The event is expected to yield a wide range of commercial agreements, investment partnerships, and policy initiatives aimed at strengthening regulatory standards and promoting innovation across the halal supply chain.

As the summit and expo continue through Nov. 29, participants will engage in roundtable discussions, product showcases, and ministerial-level dialogues. Organizers say the gathering will contribute significantly to shaping the next phase of the halal economy — one rooted in quality, trust, and global cooperation. (ILKHA)