Pakistan has started exporting halal meat worth $14.5 million to Tajikistan, as both countries look to expand bilateral trade. 

The developments were shared by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Muhammad Saeed Sarwar during a session with a Pakistani media delegation and local business representatives in Dushanbe, Pakistani state media reported. 

The Southeast Asian nation plans to export 143,000 tons of goods worth approximately $14.5 million to Tajikistan, Sarwar added. Halal products are expected to play a pivotal role in expanding bilateral trade, which is expected to reach $300 million in the coming years. 

A preferential trade agreement between the two countries is also on the cards, said Sarwar, emphasizing that trade liberalization would help promote regional economic integration.

The first-ever Tajik Cultural Week was inaugurated in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad recently, reflecting growing people-to-people and cultural ties. 

“Pakistan and Tajikistan share deep commonalities in faith, history, culture, and literature,” Sarwar remarked.

He further noted that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Tajikistan’s independence and establish diplomatic relations. 
 

Indonesia will provide 1.35 million free halal certificates to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in 2026 as part of preparations for the mandatory
halal law coming into effect next October, the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) said on Tuesday.

BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said the directive was issued by President Prabowo Subianto to ensure smaller businesses can comply with halal requirements without added financial burden. 

Hasan added that the government has already allocated 1.14 million free certificates for 2025, while BPJPH has certified 10.9 million products to date. A new decree issued this year also makes food kiosks eligible for assistance, with 25,002 kiosks registered through the Sihalal digital system receiving free certification.

The certification process—whether via self-declaration for MSEs or the regular audit scheme for medium and large businesses—is carried out entirely through the Sihalal information system. Applications submitted through ptsp.halal.go.id are routed to halal inspection institutions (LPH) for auditing by certified halal inspectors before being forwarded to the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa Commission for a ruling. BPJPH then issues the certificate.

The mandatory halal law will require all eligible products in Indonesia to be halal-certified starting October 2026, increasing pressure on small enterprises to complete compliance in time.

The Saudi Halal Center, part of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, has launched a new halal mark track aligned with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, aiming to enhance product credibility and support the long-term sustainability of the Kingdom’s halal sector.

Announcing the initiative in partnership with the public investment fund–owned Halal Product Development Company and THIQAH, the center stated that the new framework integrates Saudi Arabia’s approved halal standards with ESG compliance requirements. A spokesperson for the center stated that the alignment is intended to “increase confidence in halal products and strengthen their competitiveness in regional and international markets.”

The initiative forms part of a wider collaboration between Halal Product Development Company and THIQAH to build a more advanced halal ecosystem. According to the announcement, the partnership will introduce more precise criteria for evaluating products and services, improve beneficiary experience, and help certified establishments meet global quality and sustainability benchmarks.

Authorities said the halal mark track is designed as a strategic project to support operational efficiency, expand export opportunities and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a key hub in the global halal industry. The framework also aims to help both local and international companies align with evolving international standards in halal production and ESG compliance.

The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) was among the donors contributing to a global pledging event in Abu Dhabi that secured $1.9 billion for polio eradication, helping reduce the remaining financing gap in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) strategy to $440 million.

Hosted by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, the forum titled "Investing in Humanity: United to End Polio" was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and brought together senior government officials, global health leaders and philanthropic organisations. IFANCA was recognised by GPEI and the Foundation as a key contributing partner.

“Today’s pledges demonstrate our shared determination to end polio and protect every child from this preventable disease,” said Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chair of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity. “Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we are proud to stand with countries, donors and partners as we work hand-in-hand to achieve it.”

Pledges included $1.2 billion from the Gates Foundation, $450 million from Rotary International, $140 million from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, $100 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies, $154 million from Pakistan, $62 million from Germany, $46 million from the United States, $6 million from Japan, $4 million from IFANCA, and contributions from Luxembourg and other partners.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, called the new support “instrumental” to reaching children in the last two endemic countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan — and stopping variant outbreaks in other regions. Bill Gates said the world is “99.9% of the way there,” but stressed that “the last stretch demands the same determination that got us this far.”

IFANCA President Dr Muhammad Munir Chaudry said the organisation remained committed to the final phase of the effort: “Supporting children and protecting the most vulnerable is central to IFANCA’s mission. The last mile is the hardest, but we stand with our partners across GPEI to finish the job and create a world free of polio.”

The new funding comes as the global eradication programme faces tightening development budgets, with donor cutbacks leading to a projected 30% drop in GPEI financing in 2026. Global health agencies warn that additional support is critical to avoid reversing gains made since 1988, when polio paralyzed more than 1,000 children a day.

The UAE continues to play a central role in eradication efforts. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has committed $525 million to polio initiatives since 2011, while the Emirates Polio Campaign has delivered over 850 million vaccine doses in Pakistan, focusing on hard-to-reach communities.

Despite substantial progress, with global polio cases down over 99% since 1988, wild poliovirus transmission persists in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and variant outbreaks remain active in 18 countries.

The Abu Dhabi forum marks the third major pledging event hosted in the UAE, following summits in 2013 and 2019 that helped mobilise $6.6 billion for the global eradication effort.

Halal Products Development Company, a Public Investment Fund company has inked a partnership with DinarStandard, a US-based advisory and research firm, to advance halal innovation.

The agreement, signed at the London Halal Forum 2025 held on November 20-21, reinforces a shared commitment to strengthen industry capabilities, and accelerate global growth through research, strategic development, and impactful collaboration.

The cooperation will help accelerate the development of the halal economy and foster innovation, as well as cement Saudi Arabia’s position as a global centre of excellence for the halal sector. 

Established in 2022, HPDC aims to localise knowledge, technology and innovation for the development of halal products as well as develop the local halal production industry through partnerships with domestic and international players.

The PIF subsidiary promotes investment and economic opportunities for the industry by introducing services, including specialized advisory. 

DinarStandard specializes in government innovation, the global halal economy and the social impact space. Since 2008, it has supported over 30 government entities, investment institutions, industry leaders, and multi-laterals from over 12 countries worldwide. 

DinarStandard is also the parent company and owner of Salaam Gateway. 

Colombia has obtained halal certification for its coffee and cocoa exports, paving the way for broader access to Muslim-majority markets, President Gustavo Petro announced during a visit to Riyadh on the first leg of his Middle East tour.

“This certification will allow peasant farmers and their cooperatives to trade their coffee production directly with the Arab world,” Petro said in a post on X, adding that the move supports government efforts to shift rural economies away from illicit coca cultivation.

The certification, granted under Islamic dietary and production standards, is intended to remove barriers for Colombian exporters in markets where halal compliance is mandatory for food imports. It also aligns with the government’s strategy to diversify export destinations beyond the United States, Colombia’s primary trading partner for more than a century.

Industry reaction, however, has been mixed. The National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC) noted that Colombia already ships coffee to several Middle Eastern countries and that the certification will not dramatically alter current trade flows for all producers. According to federation data, Colombia exported 56,234 bags of coffee to Saudi Arabia in 2023 and 118,992 bags in 2024 without halal requirements applying in every case.

The certification is expected to have greater impact on processed and value-added coffee and cocoa products, which face stricter entry conditions than unprocessed green beans. Meeting Halal standards requires alignment across the supply chain, including farming practices, processing, packaging and documentation.

Colombia is the world’s third-largest coffee producer and sees cocoa as a growing export sector with potential for higher-margin products. Government officials are of the view that halal compliance will help small and medium-sized producers compete in new markets and reduce dependence on a limited set of buyers.

The announcement follows a period of renewed diplomatic engagement between Colombia and Gulf countries, with Petro scheduled to visit Egypt and Qatar after Saudi Arabia. The government has framed the certification as part of a wider push to expand trade ties beyond traditional Western markets amid shifting global demand and trade pressures.

While the certification does not guarantee immediate export increases, it formalizes access to a fast-growing consumer base and positions Colombia to pursue longer-term trade agreements in the region.

Venture capital firm Hasan.VC hosted the region’s largest halal startup showcase, featuring around 50 startups from its acceleration program’s third cohort.

The startups that form part of Cohort 003 from Hasan.VC’s five-week acceleration program, hailed from 11 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 

“What we’re seeing is the rise of a new generation of founders who are building with purpose, solving real-world challenges with integrity and innovation,” said Mohd Akhtaar, general partner and head of accelerator at HASAN.VC. 

The event, which convened angel investors, venture capitalists, and corporate leaders, also marked the launch of HASAN.VC Fund Round 3, enabling global investors to support startups in the halal and ethical sectors. 

“The momentum we’re seeing across halal and ethical tech is only the beginning. As we launch our fund’s third round, we’re opening the door to even greater collaboration and impact,” said Umar Munshi, managing partner at HASAN.VC. 
 

Indonesia will intensify oversight of halal-certified products imported from China through closer coordination between the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) and the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, officials announced on Wednesday.

The initiative will involve joint inspections of Chinese companies supplying halal goods to Indonesia, including reviews of production facilities, supply chains, and slaughterhouses across several Chinese provinces.

“This collaboration reflects our commitment to strengthening halal assurance on imports from China,” said Parulian Silalahi, deputy chief of mission at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing. “Our team will work alongside BPJPH inspectors to ensure all certified producers meet Indonesian standards.”

According to Chuzaemi Abidin, BPJPH’s deputy for monitoring and guidance, the partnership is designed to ensure that halal integrity is maintained throughout the production and distribution process.

“This cooperation demonstrates BPJPH’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and confidence of Muslim consumers in Indonesia,” Abidin said. “Continuous verification is essential to guarantee that certified products remain compliant with halal principles.”

Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, has increasingly focused on strengthening halal certification for imports, particularly from major trading partners such as China, to ensure full compliance with domestic regulations and consumer expectations.

Bangladesh plans to offer Pakistan a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for investment during the ninth Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting scheduled for October 27 in Dhaka, according to officials from the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

The meeting, the first in nearly two decades, is expected to focus on enhancing bilateral trade and cooperation, particularly in textiles, agriculture, and halal food production, sectors where both countries see strong potential for collaboration.

“This is a warm-up meeting between the two nations after almost 20 years,” said Dr Mizanur Rahman, additional secretary at the ERD. “We hope Dhaka and Islamabad will reach a consensus on boosting trade, investment, and overall economic cooperation.”

Bangladesh’s delegation will be led by finance adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, joined by special assistant to chief adviser Dr Anisuzzaman and ERD secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky, while Pakistan’s delegation will be headed by federal minister for economic cooperation Ahad Khan Cheema, officials confirmed.

Officials said the two countries are expected to discuss joint ventures in halal food production aimed at expanding exports to overseas markets. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) are also likely to sign a cooperation agreement to promote halal certification and industry growth.

According to ERD officials, reducing the trade imbalance will also be a key discussion point. In fiscal year 2025, Bangladesh imported $787 million worth of goods from Pakistan but exported only $80 million, highlighting a significant deficit.

Bangladesh will seek duty- and quota-free access for key products including jute, pharmaceuticals, ready-made garments, electronics, and tea, in a bid to diversify and strengthen exports to Pakistan.

The JEC meeting marks a thaw in bilateral relations after years of political distance. The last such meeting took place in September 2005, but subsequent sessions were postponed as ties cooled under the Awami League government, which took power in 2009.

Relations began to improve following the fall of the Awami League government in 2024, after which several high-level Pakistani delegations visited Dhaka. 

Officials in Dhaka say the renewed engagement and the upcoming JEC meeting could set the stage for deeper trade, investment, and industrial cooperation between the two South Asian nations.