Vietnam has introduced its first comprehensive legal framework for halal products and services, with Decree 127 taking effect on June 1, establishing rules on certification, labelling, and traceability in a move aimed at expanding the country's halal exports and also attracting Muslim tourists.

The decree, issued in April, requires companies to register with the Ministry of Science and Technology before conducting halal training, consultancy, or certification, and strengthens labelling requirements so halal products are clearly identified on packaging.

The framework is being paired with institutional support for exporters. The HalalViet Promotion and Experience Centre, recently launched in Hanoi, plans to represent Vietnamese businesses at halal trade expos in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkiye.

"We are working with experts to support domestic businesses, helping them not only achieve halal certification but also better understand market needs and develop products that meet actual consumer demand," a centre representative said.

The regulation addresses longstanding inconsistency in the sector, where suppliers and customers often applied differing interpretations of halal standards, making it difficult for food businesses to source certified ingredients. The decree provides a single framework for all participants in the halal value chain.

Vietnam's halal exports were valued at more than $700 million according to figures cited by the Department of Vietnam Customs, though estimates vary depending on how halal trade is defined.

With the new framework covering food, beverages, and tourism services, Vietnam is positioning itself to compete in the growing global halal market.

Indonesia has signed four recognition agreements with certification bodies across Philippines, Mexico and China, to expand its international halal recognition framework. 

The agreements were forged with China Halal Certification Shanghai Co., Ltd., Shenzhen One Gate Halal Centre, Halal Development Institute of the Philippines, and Aseguramiento Halal, S.A. de C.V, according to state-owned news agency Antara. 

Ahmad Haikal Hasan, head of the Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) said that the move is part of a strategy to strengthen the harmonization of Indonesian halal standards with global trading regions. It also strengthens the compatibility of local halal product assurance systems in the international market.

"Cross-border recognition is important to facilitating the flow of halal products, providing business certainty, and expanding market access for industry players," he said.

The recognition simplifies cross-border trade in halal products by eliminating the need for multiple certification procedures in each importing country, reducing costs, accelerating product distribution times, and increasing industrial competitiveness, Hasan added. 

With broader international recognition, BPJPH seeks to develop a halal trade system that is increasingly standardized, transparent, and integrated across countries.

Deputy Ambassador and Consul General of the Philippine Embassy to Indonesia, Gonaranao B. Musor, said the mutual recognition reflects the two countries' commitment to strengthening halal trade cooperation within a government-to-government framework.
 

The third edition of the Makkah Halal Forum concluded with the signing of 15 cooperation agreements aimed at strengthening international collaboration, harmonising halal standards, and improving product quality and certification systems across the global halal industry.

Held at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Exhibition and Events Center, the three-day forum brought together government representatives, industry leaders and experts to discuss regulatory alignment, trade development and investment opportunities within the halal economy.

Organisers said the event reflected a shift toward a more outcomes-focused platform, moving beyond dialogue to support practical initiatives designed to enhance economic integration and reinforce trust in halal certification frameworks.

The forum attracted thousands of participants and featured 170 exhibitors from 15 countries showcasing products, services and innovations spanning the halal value chain, including food, logistics, certification, technology and related sectors.

In its closing recommendations, participants emphasised the importance of developing the halal sector as an integrated global system that combines ethical standards with economic growth. Key priorities included strengthening transparency, promoting standardisation, encouraging knowledge exchange, and supporting sustainable industry development.

The recommendations align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which include expanding the Kingdom’s role in global halal markets and attracting investment into innovation-driven sectors.

Qatar Chamber and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) have signed an agreement to establish a digital platform for halal products, aimed at improving transparency, traceability and trade facilitation across the global halal ecosystem.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 41st General Assembly meeting of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development and the Makkah Halal Forum, held in Makkah.

According to Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani, chairman of Qatar Chamber, the initiative reflects the growing efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure within the halal sector and enhance international cooperation among Islamic economies. He further noted that transforming halal systems into strategic economic tools could reinforce the GCC’s position as a regional and global hub while supporting diversification and food security goals.

Sheikh Khalifa stated that collaboration between chambers of commerce across Islamic countries would help harmonise standards and specifications, increase confidence in halal products, and enhance governance and transparency throughout the industry.

During the General Assembly meeting, members reviewed progress on implementing decisions from the previous session, elected board members for the new term, and approved the appointment of a new chairman. The assembly also endorsed financial reports, including the Chamber’s 2026 budget and 2024 financial statements, and discussed planned activities for 2026.

Four countries have joined the Global Halal Mark alliance launched by the Saudi Halal Center, as the organisation moves to unify halal certification standards and strengthen cross-border trade within the global halal economy.

The announcement followed the signing of two agreements with Indonesia and Thailand during the Makkah Halal Forum, according to Abdulaziz Al-Rushodi, chief executive officer of the Saudi Halal Center, who said additional countries are expected to join the alliance.

The initiative aims to standardize halal marks internationally and enhance reliability across certification systems with participation projected to reach 10 countries by the end of the year.

The forum also saw the launch of the Halal Academy, established in cooperation with the Islamic University of Madinah. The academy is intended to serve as a global scientific reference supporting skills development, research and capacity building within the halal ecosystem.

Separately, the Saudi Halal Center announced plans for a “Global Halal Hub,” an integrated digital platform designed to streamline certification processes and facilitate trade procedures between participating countries. The platform aims to simplify compliance requirements and improve transparency across supply chains.

To support the domestic industry, the center signed a memorandum of understanding with the Food Manufacturers Association, representing thousands of Saudi factories. The partnership seeks to encourage local producers to adopt the Saudi halal mark, enabling greater export readiness and improving access to markets across the Islamic world.

Established in 2018 under the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the Saudi Halal Center oversees halal certification by verifying compliance with Shariah and technical standards. Products carrying the halal mark indicate they have undergone regulatory auditing and meet defined Islamic compliance requirements.

Industry stakeholders highlighted the growing economic significance of halal certification initiatives. Yousef Khalawi, Secretary-General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, said the global halal market was valued at approximately $7 trillion in 2025 and is projected to reach $10 trillion by 2030 amid rising consumer demand and expanding investment across halal value chains.

Saudi Arabia currently leads global investment in the sector, with approximately $1.4 billion invested, followed by Malaysia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.

Nigeria has launched a strategy to promote and grow its halal economy to diversify and tap into the lucrative global halal market. 

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the strategy, calling for disciplined, inclusive, and measurable action for the strategy to deliver jobs and prosperity across the country, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. 

The strategy hints at Nigeria’s readiness to capture a sizeable chunk of the global halal economy and to define the nation’s direction within the market, which is expected to add an estimated $1.5 billion to the nation’s GDP 2027, according to the premier. 

“This document is a declaration of our promise to meet global standards with Nigerian capacity and to convert opportunity into lasting economic value.”  

The halal food exports, developing pharmaceutical and cosmetic value chains would position Nigeria as a halal-friendly tourism destination, and mobilise ethical finance at scale by 2030, he added. 

“The cumulative efforts are projected to unlock over twelve billion dollars in economic value, while strengthening food security, deepening industrial capacity, and creating opportunities for small-and-medium-sized enterprises across our states,” President Tinubu added.

The premier quashed concerns that link halal solely with religious affiliations, adding that halal is no longer defined by faith alone but by trust through systems that emphasize quality, traceability, safety, and ethical production. 

Tinubu said many advanced Western economies had since “recognised the commercial and ethical appeal of the halal economy and have integrated it into their export and quality-assurance systems.”

Developed countries, including the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are currently among leading producers, certifiers, and exporters of halal food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and financial products, he added. 

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the inauguration of the strategy was a public-private collaboration that has involved extensive interaction with stakeholders.

“We are going to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area to ensure we export our halal-friendly goods to the rest of Africa and beyond to any willing markets; participation is voluntary, “ the minister said. 

The Canadian federal government is investing up to $2.26 million to expand halal beef processing and packaging capacity at a facility in Prince Edward Island, as part of efforts to strengthen domestic meat production and meet growing consumer demand.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced that funding will be provided to Atlantic Beef Products Inc. under the $25 million kosher and halal investment program. This program supports federally regulated beef and veal processors in adopting new technologies to increase efficiency and output.

The investment of $2,256,786 will fund the installation of advanced processing and packaging technologies designed to increase meat yield and expand halal-certified product offerings for Canadian retailers, the department said.

Planned upgrades include equipment to recover more meat and reduce food waste, new packaging systems for retail-ready halal products, and in-line inspection technology to strengthen safety and quality control.

The government stated that the funding aligns with its Buy Canadian policy, which prioritises domestic suppliers in federal procurement and aims to strengthen Canada’s food system. The announcement comes amid ongoing debate over access to halal and kosher foods following a decision by the Quebec government last year to bar such foods from public institutions.