In a video message to the 10th World Halal Summit held in Istanbul, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted the significance of halal-certified products and services, emphasizing their role in promoting cleanliness, health, and respect for religious sensitivities.

Erdoğan noted that the global halal market, valued at over $5 trillion, continues to expand, presenting substantial opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.

“This year, the World Halal Summit is set to welcome over 1,000 companies and approximately 50,000 visitors from more than 110 countries, making it the largest halal organization globally,” Erdoğan stated. He expressed confidence that the Summit's discussions, themed “A Decade of Halal Success: Uniting Vision, Shaping the Future,” would create new opportunities and foster partnerships in the halal sector.

The Summit will feature business forums designed to forge new collaborations and investments. Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to becoming a global production hub, noting that the government supports both domestic and foreign capital in unlocking the potential of the Turkish economy.

The president also underscored Türkiye’s efforts in halal certification and food safety, pointing to the establishment of the Halal Accreditation Agency and the implementation of the Turkish Food Codex, which aligns with international food safety standards. Erdoğan further highlighted Türkiye's rigorous testing and inspection processes for food safety, which include chemical, microbiological, and physicochemical analyses.

Certification and standardization, according to Erdoğan, are essential in ensuring consumer access to halal products and facilitating international trade. He also emphasized the role of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), established in 2010, in resolving issues related to halal certification.

Erdoğan concluded his message by inviting all member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to join the Institute, which would help address challenges in halal certification and promote collaboration across the Muslim world. (ILKHA)