Leaders and business representatives from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia convened at the 11th World Halal Summit in Istanbul this week for a high-profile bilateral forum aimed at boosting cooperation across the global halal economy.

The summit, held 26–29 November and organised under the auspices of the Turkish presidency alongside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and national authorities, brought together hundreds of companies, investors, and officials to explore trade, investment, and sectoral collaboration.

At the event, participants emphasised the expanding value of the halal economy, now estimated to exceed seven trillion US dollars globally.

Türkiye’s stakeholders highlighted the country’s strong industrial capacity, skilled workforce and history in halal production, positioning it as a leading contributor to the sector’s growth.

A central focus of the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Business Forum was identifying new areas for joint ventures, ranging from halal food and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, textiles, modest fashion, tourism, healthcare and halal-certified finance.

Delegates discussed streamlining certification standards, improving supply-chain traceability and enhancing cross-border trade infrastructure — themes underscored by the summit’s “Innovation and Excellence” agenda.

Officials from both sides expressed optimism that the renewed cooperation could strengthen investment flows, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and open new export markets.

Several Saudi and Turkish companies signalled intent to launch pilot projects and bilateral trade agreements in the coming months, particularly targeting underserved markets in Africa and Southeast Asia.

The summit also underscored the growing significance of halal beyond dietary products — extending into lifestyle, wellness, ethical finance, and sustainable manufacturing.

By aligning regulatory standards and leveraging mutual strengths, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia aim to set a benchmark for inclusive growth across the global halal marketplace.