World Halal Conference 2016 to discuss halal as a catalyst for change

The Halal Development Corporation will hold its 9th Annual World Halal Conference (WHC) on March 30 and 31 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia. Given the tremendous growth of the global halal industry and its impact on the economic and social landscape, this year’s conference is themed Halal at the forefront of Economic and Social Change.

The two-day conference will focus on various aspects of the halal industry including the challenges facing the global halal economy, the rise of halal e-commerce and new business opportunities, and the need to develop talent. Highlights include:

 A Global Leaders Panel Session

 A Ministerial Roundtable Session

 Concurrent plenary sessions on specific components within the halal ecosystem, including about youth, women's empowerment, e-commerce and halal talent

 A Business Networking Galleria by WHC collaborating partners.

According to the organisers, the halal industry is worth approximately US$2.3 trillion today, and growing strong. As the halal economy comprises more than 70 core countries, a platform such as the World Halal Conference enables the community to discuss issues and challenges related to the development of the global halal industry.

Countries producing halal products and services are already finding ways to create better multilateral trade and investment for the industry. Deliberations to create a global halal trade network are in the pipeline, as it generates investment opportunities and strengthens multilateral trade among halal based industries. Bilateral trade agreements in the areas of eliminating tariffs, import quotas, export restraints and other trade barriers could contribute to the creation of an international industry worth US$3.7 trillion by 2019, as reported in the Global Islamic Economy Report 2014-2015.

More than 800 halal stakeholders and foreign delegates are expected to participate in the conference. Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, the patron of the World Halal Conference, and the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, will give the welcoming remarks. The keynote will be delivered by The Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

A special address entitled Youth, Lifestyle and Halal will also be given by The Honourable Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia. His address will emphasise the importance of youths in developing the halal industry, and how the industry can reap lucrative business prospects for young entrepreneurs.

One of main topics that will be deliberated this year is women and youth empowerment, which will discuss the significant involvement and progression of women and youth in the halal industry, and how their decisions and purchasing power have changed the balance of the social and economic aspects of the halal world. They are becoming more influential with top business ideas in the field of consumer products, savvy technology and lifestyle.

The two keynote speakers of this session will be Dato’ Dr Norraesah Binti Haji Mohamad, Chairman, WIEF Businesswomen Network Malaysia and Loubna Amhair, Member of the House of Representatives, Morocco.

Interested?

The 9th Annual World Halal Conference will run from 30 to 31 March 2016 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia. Admission is free but by invitation only. Qualified registrants will receive invitations. Register

View photos of the 2015 conference

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about MIHAS 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the World Halal Summit 2015
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the World Halal Conference 2014