MAKKAH — The Makkah Halal Forum, which began on Tuesday, hosted a series of educational workshops focused on the halal industry, the sustainability of the halal economy, and the latest innovations and best practices in this vital sector. The workshops also addressed the opportunities and challenges in the global halal market, with a focus on unifying halal certification standards, overcoming supply chain issues, and ensuring halal integrity. They explored the role of education in driving industry growth, empowering companies through training in halal-related fields, and leveraging blockchain technology to enhance halal businesses. The workshops discussed the main factors that contribute to facilitating halal trade operations to and from the Kingdom, halal requirements across various sectors, best practices in the industry, and shaping the future of the global halal economy through innovation and cooperation. The three-day forum addresses several challenges facing the halal industry by promoting collaboration between regulatory bodies and introducing innovative technological solutions that enhance the transparency and reliability of halal accreditation, thereby facilitating international trade. It was pointed out in the forum that the halal industry is one of the fastest-growing global sectors, spanning food, medicine, and cosmetics. With this rapid expansion comes the pressing need to enhance halal standards and facilitate international trade. The industry faces several challenges that impact the efficiency and credibility of halal products in different markets. One key challenge is the multiplicity of halal certification bodies, each with its own accreditation requirements. This lack of uniformity leads to inconsistencies between countries that produce and consume halal products. Additionally, the absence of a unified regulatory framework complicates international trade, creating hurdles for companies striving to comply with diverse certification requirements. Another significant issue is the technical and regulatory gap in tracking halal products, as some markets lack advanced digital systems to verify compliance with globally recognized standards. One key focus area of the forum is strengthening cooperation between global halal accreditation entities, including the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, and Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Organizing Body. This cooperation seeks to create a harmonized global certification system that ensures mutual recognition of halal certificates, streamlining the movement of halal products across international markets. In addition, the forum highlights the role of innovation and technology in halal certification, such as the blockchain technology for tracking halal products. Through workshops and discussion sessions, the forum brings together manufacturers, regulators, and entrepreneurs to deepen their understanding of modern halal standards and compliance mechanisms. By fostering international collaboration and embracing cutting-edge technology, the forum reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a global hub for the halal industry, strengthening its role in shaping the future of this vital sector. The second edition of the forum, themed "Sustainable Development through Halal," organized by Makkah Chamber of Commerce, began at the Makkah Chamber for Exhibitions and Events Center on Tuesday. The first session discussed "Industrial innovation to enhance the sustainability of the halal food and beverage sector", in which the participants spoke about enhancing industrial production to support sustainable halal practices, cooperation to enhance innovative industrial progress, and support sustainability in order to preserve the environment and reduce pollution. The second session was titled "Enhancing the sustainability of the halal economy through international cooperation", in which the speakers referred to the role of cooperation in enhancing economic development, and overcoming trade obstacles to enhance market integration and trade growth. The third session titled "Halal business and women's empowerment," reviewed initiatives to encourage and empower women in the fields of the halal economy, develop strategies to support Muslim women in halal sectors, and learn about innovative practices of female entrepreneurs in the halal sector.
