The third edition of the Makkah Halal Forum 2026, organized by the ‘Manafea’ initiative, has commenced under the patronage of Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi.
The Makkah Chamber for Exhibitions and Events Center host the three-day forum with the theme ‘Halal: A Professional Industry.’
The opening session featured a keynote by Yousef Hassan Khalawi, Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, who described the forum as a flagship outcome of the global Manafea Initiative.
Khalawi emphasized that the initiative aims to consolidate Makkah and Madinah as central hubs for Muslim business, trade, and investment worldwide. He highlighted that this year’s theme represents a strategic shift from traditional halal practices toward a fully integrated industrial ecosystem built on governance, transparency, institutional trust, and standardized practices.
“The future of the halal sector relies on professionalism across management, operations, finance, and marketing,” Khalawi noted.
Image via SPA | Cropped by GBN
Agenda to drive industry development
The first day of the forum featured a high-level conference comprising five main sessions on the global positioning of the halal brand, investment opportunities, Islamic finance, and sectoral economic development.
Specialized workshops and a closed roundtable brought together senior leaders to explore key topics including exports, imports, franchising, and industry best practices.
This agenda aims to deepen professional dialogue, encourage knowledge exchange, and foster collaboration across the halal ecosystem, as the forum continues to draw a growing international audience.
Strategic platform for growth and innovation
The Makkah Halal Forum 2026 acts as a strategic platform integrating economic insight, regulatory standards, institutional empowerment, and technological innovation. It reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership in the global halal economy while leveraging Makkah’s position as a central hub for the Islamic world.
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the forum highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting sectoral growth, professionalizing industry frameworks, and expanding the global footprint of the halal economy.
