Istanbul: The fact that halal products and services are offered to consumers who are clean, healthy, and religiously sensitive, reaching around two billion people worldwide, boosts confidence in the sector's future, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.
According to Anadolu Agency, President Erdogan communicated his thoughts via a text message to the opening ceremony of the World Halal Summit. He highlighted that last year, the summit hosted 50,000 visitors from 50 countries and over 500 firms, and he remains optimistic that these numbers will grow this year. He noted the global halal sector's expansion to $7 trillion, emphasizing the preference for halal products among many worldwide. Erdogan underscored the significant impact the World Halal Summit, the largest event in the global halal market, will have on the sector.
The World Halal Summit and Halal Expo commenced on Wednesday in Istanbul, gathering sector participants under the main theme of "Strengthening Halal Industry via Innovation and Excellence." The 11th edition of the summit and expo, running from Nov. 26 to 29, was held under the auspices of the Turkish presidency and involved the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and several institutions, including the Turkish Trade Ministry and the Halal Accreditation Agency. Anadolu served as the event's global communication partner.
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat remarked on the challenging global period marked by rising protectionism and customs duties. He stressed the importance of increased solidarity among Islamic countries to bolster economic development and enhance trade relationships. Bolat also touched on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, expressing solidarity with Palestinians and hoping for a peaceful and stable future.
Fikri Ataoglu, the deputy prime minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), emphasized that halal trade serves as a powerful diplomatic platform, bridging geographical divides and enhancing countries' visibility. Ataoglu pointed out that halal trade prioritizes trust, quality, ethics, traceability, and human health, which collectively elevate the brand value of nations.
Afghan Minister of Trade and Industry Nureddin Azizi highlighted Afghanistan's supportive environment for the private sector, citing investment-friendly laws and the nation's strategic position. He extended an invitation to investors exploring opportunities in various sectors, reaffirming Afghanistan's strong ties with Turkey.
Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria's minister of industry, trade, and investment, described the summit as a global platform for advancing the halal economy. Oduwole noted Nigeria's growing investor confidence in the halal food market and invited partners to help position Nigeria as Africa's halal food hub.