Global Halal Summit 2023 Begins with JAKIM Director’s Welcome

Kuala Lumpur – The Global Halal Summit 2023 (GHaS 2023) kicked off with great energy at the Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Center, marking the much-anticipated return of the 13th Halal Certification Body Convention (HCBC). This event is particularly significant as it marks the first physical edition of the summit since the pandemic began in 2020, a long-awaited moment for participants worldwide.

In her keynote address, Datuk Hajah Hakimah Binti Mohd Yusoff, the Director General of the Department of Islam Development Malaysia (JAKIM), expressed her deep gratitude for the opportunity to gather in person again. She acknowledged the difficulties caused by the pandemic, which disrupted the annual tradition of the HCBC, first launched in 2010. Historically, The event drew participants from across the globe to Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, serving as a cornerstone for halal certification and development discussions. However, due to COVID-19-related restrictions, the event had to shift to a virtual format for the past few years.

JAKIM and MITI Join the Forces

This year’s Global Halal Summit 2023 is extraordinary, not just because of its physical return, but due to a significant collaboration between JAKIM and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). This partnership highlights the increasing importance of Malaysia’s halal industry on the global stage. The collaboration also involves three major agencies:

1. Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) – focusing on promoting Malaysia’s halal exports.
2. Halal Development Corporation (HDC) – plays a pivotal role in developing Malaysia’s halal ecosystem.
3. Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM) – ensuring that Malaysian halal standards align with global best practices.

These agencies, working together under the umbrella of the summit, are set to further strengthen Malaysia’s leadership in the global halal industry, a sector that continues to experience rapid growth. This collaboration ensures that Malaysia is not only maintaining its position but also pushing the boundaries of innovation in the halal certification industry, which continues to grow in importance globally.

Malaysia’s Role in the Global Halal Economy

As one of the world’s leading halal hubs, Malaysia has been at the forefront of setting standards in halal certification. The country’s halal market is valued at over $300 billion, contributing significantly to both the national and global economies. According to recent figures, global halal trade is estimated to reach $3.2 trillion by 2027, with Malaysia playing a key role in this expansion. The Global Halal Summit 2023 will likely act as a catalyst, facilitating discussions on how countries and businesses can capitalize on this growing demand.

The event focuses not just on certification but on the wider scope of halal products, including halal food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and logistics. The summit’s emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and compliance ensures that Malaysia remains at the cutting edge of halal certification and trade. Recent developments in halal standards have also paved the way for more cross-border collaboration, allowing Malaysia to expand its halal export markets to key regions such as the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

The Surge in Global Halal Demand

Demand for halal products has surged globally, driven by the growing Muslim population, which is expected to reach 2.2 billion by 2030. This demographic shift, along with the rising disposable income of Muslim consumers, has significantly increased the demand for halal-certified goods and services, from food to fashion and finance. The Global Halal Summit 2023 aims to address this rising demand by discussing the challenges and opportunities in the halal sector.

Halal products have also gained traction beyond Muslim consumers, as non-Muslim consumers increasingly view halal certification as a mark of quality and safety. This shift has opened up new markets for halal goods, particularly in regions like North America and Europe, where the demand for ethical, clean-label, and high-quality products has grown in recent years. The Global Halal Summit 2023 serves as a vital platform for industry leaders and policymakers to explore these emerging trends and develop strategies to tap into these new consumer bases.

Reuniting the Global Halal Community

The atmosphere at the Global Halal Summit 2023 was filled with excitement, as participants from various countries could finally engage in face-to-face discussions. The Director General of JAKIM, Datuk Hajah Hakimah, emphasized the importance of these interactions, noting that in-person conversations offer a unique opportunity to foster stronger business ties, exchange ideas, and explore new areas for growth.

She expressed her hopes and prayers for the summit’s success, asking for guidance to ensure a smooth and productive event. Her remarks resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom were attending their first physical halal event since the pandemic began. The shift back to an in-person format has reignited interest and enthusiasm within the global halal industry.

A Growing Global Priority

A key focus of this year’s summit is the evolving landscape of halal certification. As more countries and businesses recognize the importance of aligning with halal standards, demand for certification has skyrocketed. Countries like Indonesia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have significantly ramped up their halal certification efforts, aiming to attract global halal consumers.

The summit also addressed the need for a unified global halal certification standard. Currently, different countries have varying certification criteria, which can create confusion for both businesses and consumers. A standardized approach to halal certification would not only simplify the process but also enhance consumer confidence in halal products, no matter where they are sourced. Global Halal Summit 2023 participants expressed optimism that such a framework could be developed shortly.

Exploring New Sectors: Beyond Food

While food has traditionally been the focus of halal certification, the Global Halal Summit 2023 expanded its scope to include other sectors such as halal tourism, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and logistics. These sectors represent significant growth areas for the halal industry, particularly as Muslim consumers seek products and services that align with their ethical and religious beliefs across all aspects of life.

Logistics is another emerging area of interest, as the need for halal-certified supply chains becomes more critical in ensuring that products remain halal from production to consumption. The summit featured discussions on how businesses can meet these logistical challenges, particularly as the global halal trade expands.

The Future of the Global Halal Summit

The Global Halal Summit 2023 will span several days, featuring high-level discussions, workshops, and exhibitions aimed at propelling the global halal industry forward. Topics will include halal food production, ethical finance, Islamic tourism, and the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in halal trade.

As the halal economy grows, so too will the importance of events like the Global Halal Summit, which serve as vital platforms for knowledge exchange and collaboration. The summit is poised to continue playing a key role in shaping the future of the halal industry, especially as it adapts to new challenges and opportunities in a post-pandemic world.

The return of the Global Halal Summit 2023 symbolizes more than just a reunion—it marks a new era of growth and collaboration for the halal industry. By bringing together leaders, businesses, and stakeholders, this summit promises to pave the way for a more connected and prosperous global halal economy.

The Global Halal Summit 2023 showcases that the halal industry is not just a regional or religious movement but a global one. As it continues to expand, businesses and governments worldwide will increasingly view halal standards as a necessity rather than a niche requirement. The summit is a key driver of this transformation, setting the stage for a future where halal-certified products and services are seamlessly integrated into mainstream global trade.