Makkah: International experts and specialists participating in the third edition of the Makkah Halal Forum 2026, organized by the 'Manafea' Initiative at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the ongoing economic transformation within the halal sector. The shift is from Sharia compliance as a regulatory requirement to establishing a fully integrated professional industry capable of competing in global markets.
According to Saudi Press Agency, speakers during the forum sessions noted that the current challenge extends beyond proving a product's legitimacy. It now involves achieving operational excellence, building trusted brands, and developing professional identities capable of accessing global supply chains. This is within a competitive environment that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and efficiency.
In a session titled 'Halal as a Global Professional Identity,' Yousef Khalawi, Secretary-General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, urged national and Islamic companies to realistically respond to global market transformations. Khalawi highlighted that competition has expanded to include major international companies and brands, not just Islamic countries.
He pointed out that brands in Europe and the United States have quickly allocated production lines for halal products, successfully entering high-return seasonal sectors like Ramadan gifts and fashion. These brands benefit from advanced supply chains and flexible logistics systems, which provide a competitive advantage. This compels producers in the Islamic world to adopt a fully integrated professional industrial model to maintain and enhance their market shares.
Khalawi also stressed the importance of correcting perceptions associated with the halal sector through a mature communication strategy. Halal standards in terms of product safety, source transparency, and environmental responsibility align directly with global sustainability requirements in consumer behavior.
Speakers concluded the sessions by emphasizing that the halal industry is still in a stage of maturity. Its future depends on systematic investment in human capital, including building managerial competencies, developing technical expertise, and enhancing marketing and innovation capabilities.
The Makkah Halal Forum 2026 provides a platform for economic thought, regulatory frameworks, institutional empowerment, and technological innovation. It reinforces the Kingdom's role in the global halal economy, leverages Makkah's spiritual status to build international economic centrality, and underscores the Kingdom's commitment to supporting the growth of this sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030.