HDC Expands Into Saudi Arabia to Further Boost the Halal Industry in a $3 Trillion Market

The Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) is set to host the inaugural Halal Economy Leadership Forum 2024 (HELF 2024), building on the success of last year’s World Halal Business Conference (WHBC) held in London. This event is designed as a strategic continuation of the WHBC Circuit, aiming to further cement its role in leading and expanding the global Halal economy.

HELF 2024 is organized in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC). The forum is scheduled to take place concurrently with the IsDB Private Sector Forum 2024 in Riyadh on 30 April 2024. It will focus on enhancing the development of the Halal industry in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and across the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries.

Themed “Navigating Future Opportunities, Embracing Innovation,” the forum will gather prominent government officials, industry leaders, business communities, and trade councils from both host countries and around the world. This significant event aims to foster discussions, endorsements, and extensive networking opportunities among participants from OIC countries and beyond. YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, will represent the Malaysian government with the Official Address.

Khairul Azwan Harun, Chairman of HDC, commented, “HELF 2024 in Riyadh marks a pivotal moment for Malaysia as we seek to leverage collective economic benefits for the ummah. This initiative is designed to enhance mutual advantages among IsDB Member Countries, Non-member Countries, and Observer Countries in the years ahead.”

Azwan further elaborated on the forum’s goals, stating, “As a multilateral policy platform, HELF 2024 will provide vital economic and trade instruments to develop, enable, and integrate Halal Ecosystems among IsDB Member Countries and extend these frameworks to Non-Member and Observer Countries. To facilitate these objectives, a Halal Ecosystem Enablement Fund will be established.”

In anticipation of a high-impact gathering, Azwan extended an invitation to key decision-makers, diplomatic envoys, industry leaders, and government officials to participate in this transformative forum. Notably, the primary attendees currently include delegates from Malaysia, Singapore, and various OIC countries, with ongoing efforts to engage more representatives from Africa and West Asia, underscoring the event’s global outreach and significance in shaping the future of the Halal economy.