Algiers, Algeria, 21 May 2025– The Halal Economy Leadership Forum, themed "Pathways to Prosperity in the IsDB Member Countries", was successfully held on 21 May 2025 in Algiers as part of the IsDB Group Private Sector Forum 2025, in conjunction with the IsDB Annual Meetings 2025. The forum builds on the momentum of the inaugural event held in Riyadh during IsDB's Golden Jubilee in 2024, which set the stage for deeper halal economic integration among IsDB member countries.

The opening session featured keynote addresses from several distinguished leaders. Among them were H.E. Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan, Ambassador of Malaysia to Algeria; Dr. Issa Faye, Director General for Global Practice and Partnerships at the Islamic Development Bank; Dr. Abdulhakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); and Monira Abdulaziz AlMohammed, Chief Shared Services Officer of HPDC in Saudi Arabia. Their remarks underscored the critical importance of the halal economy as a driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the IsDB member countries.

During the forum, a panel session titled "Advancing Global Partnerships for the Halal Economy" was moderated by Mr. Samer Elesawi, Head of the IsDB Center of Excellence. The panel featured Mr. Hairol Ariffein Sahari, CEO of HDC Malaysia, and Dr. Ilham A. Habibie, Chairman of PT. ILTHABI Rekatama Indonesia; Mr. Muhammadu Dikko Ladan, CEO of Dar Al Halal Group Limited in Nigeria; and Mr. Rohaizad Hassan, General Manager of Yildiz Holding in Türkiye. The panellists shared cross-border insights and experiences, emphasising the value of collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange to build a resilient and globally competitive halal ecosystem.

The session also explored the potential for fostering global partnerships within the halal ecosystem. Discussions focused on strengthening cross-border collaboration to address intra-OIC trade deficits while leveraging key insights from the Global Halal Ecosystem Assessment Report to uncover untapped markets and growth opportunities. Emphasis was placed on promoting an inclusive framework for the holistic development of halal ecosystems in IsDB member countries while creating benefits extending beyond the OIC region. Additionally, the session underscored the importance of aligning global regulatory standards to enable mutual recognition and build trust among trading partners, alongside efforts to enhance the credibility and transparency of halal certification processes across jurisdictions.

The forum also featured a special presentation by the IsDB Center of Excellence on the Halal Industrial Park 2.0, an initiative to strengthen member countries' capacity within global halal value chains. The initiative specifically aims to support member countries in addressing the shortages in halal food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other essential raw materials and end-products while also supporting increased intra-OIC trade and industrial development.

Significantly, a Business Matching Roundtable Session was also organised to serve as a targeted platform for connecting key business leaders, government agencies, investment authorities, and halal product manufacturers. The session aimed to catalyse commercial partnerships aligned with national economic diversification priorities and industrial strategies, particularly in promising markets such as Algeria. It saw active participation from members of the Algerian business community as well as Malaysian halal enterprises, marking a concrete step forward in strengthening economic and commercial ties between the two countries.

The event was jointly organised by the IsDB Center of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur (KLCoE), the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) of Malaysia, and the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) of Saudi Arabia. It brought together a high-level audience of policymakers, industry leaders, and international stakeholders to shape the future of the global halal economy.

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