Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The second edition of the Makkah Halal Forum 2025 will begin at the Makkah Chamber for Exhibitions and Events Center on Tuesday. The three-day forum, themed "Sustainable Development through Halal," will be held under the patronage of Minister of Commerce Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi.

The forum, to be organized by the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, aims to enhance Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for the halal industry, by attracting entrepreneurs, investors, regulatory bodies and international experts to discuss the latest trends in this growing sector, as well as to highlight the commercial and investment opportunities available in it.

The forum, which showcases the finest in halal services and products, aligns with the Kingdom's strategic directions regarding halal industries, which support national economic growth and diversification, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The forum is featuring workshops, keynote sessions, discussion panels, live halal cooking shows and demonstrations, as well as opportunities for partnerships and collaborations across multiple sectors.

This global event is set to bring together an elite group of experts and specialists in the halal sector from all over the world. The forum includes specialized discussion sessions on halal standards, innovation and the future of Islamic finance, in addition to interactive workshops aimed at supporting companies and entrepreneurs in complying with global halal requirements.

International exhibitions with the participation of more than 150 exhibitors from 15 countries will also be held on the sidelines of the forum. The exhibitions aimed to enhance opportunities for commercial cooperation and expand the scope of international partnerships.

The forum also features business meetings to connect investors with leading companies, as well as live cooking shows by world-class halal chefs, adding a cultural and interactive touch to the event. The forum will be a key platform for discussing the global unification of halal standards, bringing together representatives of international accreditation bodies such as the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), the Malaysian Islamic Development Agency (JAKIM), and the Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), with the aim of facilitating the movement of halal products across global markets and enhancing trust between consumers and manufacturers.

The forum also seeks to adopt modern technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence to ensure transparency and efficiency in halal product accreditation processes