International Halal Accreditation Congress Gathers Global Stakeholders
The First International Halal Accreditation Congress convened at the General Directorate of Forestry, bringing together public officials, academics, industry representatives, field experts, and ambassadors from various countries. The event opened with a recitation from the Quran, emphasizing the significance of the halal principle as outlined in multiple verses.
Halal Sector Growth Driven by Demographics and Technology
During his opening remarks, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat noted that the halal sector reached a volume of $2.3 trillion in 2024 and is projected to rise to $3.5 trillion by 2028. He highlighted that by 2030, over 540 million young Muslims will be part of the global population, fueling increased demand for halal products and services. Bolat attributed this trend to population growth, economic and demographic transformation, and rapid technological advances.
Turkey’s Strategic Role in Islamic Trade
Minister Bolat underlined the importance of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Turkey, emphasizing the government’s commitment to boosting trade with Islamic countries under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade. He stated that the share of Islamic countries in Turkey’s foreign trade rose from 11% in 2002 to over 26% in 2023, with a target to surpass 30% by 2030.
Halal Accreditation and International Cooperation
Bolat explained that the Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK) has played a crucial role by granting accreditation to 132 organizations out of 227 applicants from 35 countries, ensuring the credibility of halal certification. As a result, more than 2,500 halal-certified production facilities now operate under accreditation assurance. In 2023, the OIC established the Islamic Forum of Halal Accreditation Agencies, now joined by 26 member countries, further strengthening international cooperation and oversight.
The Minister also highlighted the widespread adoption of halal standards published by the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), which serve as Turkey’s national halal benchmarks. In addition, over 1,600 participants from 35 countries have received training in halal accreditation in Turkey.
Diverse Impact Across Industries
Bolat noted that the halal economy extends beyond food, influencing sectors such as apparel, tourism, media, and cosmetics. He emphasized the growing importance of halal considerations not only in Muslim-majority countries like Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but also among Muslim communities in non-Muslim majority countries including China, India, Brazil, and Russia.
At the conclusion of the congress, Minister Bolat was presented with a commemorative gift.
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