Launch of the Makkah Halal Forum 2026: Enhancing the Kingdom's Economic Leadership
Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, all eyes will be on the Holy City of Mecca next Saturday, as the third edition of the "Makkah Halal Forum 2026" kicks off. This prominent event, organized by the "Manafe'a" initiative, carries the slogan "Halal: A Professional Industry" and will be held at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Exhibition and Events Center from February 14th to 16th.
Strategic importance and growing international momentum
The third edition of the forum is of exceptional importance, witnessing growing international momentum and widespread participation from around the world. This year's forum strategy focuses on transforming the concept of halal from mere compliance with religious laws into a professional industry with comprehensive standards. This is being achieved through a series of effective strategic partnerships with governmental and semi-governmental sectors, as well as major private sector companies and international bodies and organizations, with the participation of delegations from more than 16 countries, reflecting the Kingdom's pivotal role in leading this vital sector.
Huge economic growth in the global halal market
These concerted efforts come at a time when the halal economy is experiencing rapid global growth, expanding beyond food to encompass finance, cosmetics, tourism, and logistics. Documented statistics indicate that the global halal industry reached approximately $2.42 trillion in 2023, with strong economic projections indicating it will reach $3.36 trillion by 2028. Through its dialogue sessions and accompanying workshops, the forum aims to leverage this growth to foster trust and integration in global markets and increase trade between local and international companies.
Mecca: The center of gravity for the Islamic world
The selection of Mecca to host this event is no coincidence; it underscores its sacred status as the Qibla for Muslims and a center that blends spiritual values with economic activity. The forum aims to solidify Mecca's role as a global platform for developing halal standards and building international consensus around them. The forum's scientific program will include discussions on vital issues such as entrepreneurship, franchising, and import/export mechanisms, in addition to a "Halal Experts Corner" offering technical consultations to assess companies' readiness for obtaining accredited halal certifications.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The Makkah Halal Forum aligns with the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify non-oil revenue streams and enhance the Kingdom's position as a global logistics and trade hub. By supporting the Islamic economy, the Kingdom is working to empower Saudi companies to achieve global leadership and open new horizons for national exports in international markets eager for high-quality halal products and services.
