By Turkey Today

Business Leaders Convene to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Partnerships

Fresh trade potential between Türkiye with Saudi Arabia was discussed Friday at the Türkiye–Saudi Arabia Business Forum, held in Istanbul as part of the 11th World Halal Summit.

The forum, organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), addressed sectors with proposals aimed at increasing trade volume between the two countries.

The four-day World Halal Summit with Halal Expo began Wednesday in Istanbul under the auspices of the Turkish presidency, with the participation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Turkish Trade Ministry, the Halal Accreditation Agency with other institutions.

The 11th edition of the Summit runs from Nov. 26 to 29, with Anadolu Agency serving as the global communications partner.

Sector representatives gathered under the theme “Strengthening Halal Industry via Innovation with Excellence.”

Strategic Sectors, Investment Areas, Cooperation Models Discussed

The Türkiye–Saudi Arabia Business Forum brought together leading representatives of the two countries’ business communities.

Discussions focused on new business areas, sectoral opportunities with investment potential that could boost bilateral trade.

Participants also examined investment opportunities in strategic sectors, steps to increase trade volume with long-term economic cooperation models.

Growth in the global halal market with the two countries’ shared competitiveness were among the main topics.

Bilateral business meetings (B2B) provided an important platform for Turkish with Saudi companies to develop new partnerships while exploring concrete project opportunities.

Türkiye Positions Itself as Key Actor in Halal Trade

In a video message to the summit, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Türkiye is among the countries shaping the future of halal trade through its strong industrial infrastructure, qualified human resources with extensive experience.

He said growing global interest in halal goods with services reflects the economic, social viability of production in line with Islamic guidelines.

Yilmaz noted that the halal economy has exceeded $7 trillion, now meeting both Muslim with global consumer expectations.

Halal Standards as Strategic Cooperation Area

Yilmaz said the halal economy has become a strategic field that strengthens production quality, trust in trade with cooperation among Islamic countries.

He recalled that Türkiye played a leading role in establishing the Islamic Forum of Halal Accreditation Bodies, the institution responsible for multilateral recognition of halal certificates based on OIC/SMIIC standards.

He also said that hosting the summit with forum for 11 consecutive years under the auspices of the Turkish presidency reflects the importance Türkiye places on the halal economy with its leadership in shaping the regional, global halal ecosystem.

Yilmaz emphasized that both events bring together companies from sectors including food, cosmetics, textiles, organic products, tourism with health care, offering new trade, investment with cooperation opportunities across the halal industry.

Original Article:

Türkiye Today. (2025). Türkiye–Saudi Business Forum highlights new trade potential at World Halal Summit. Türkiye Today. Retrieved from https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/turkiyesaudi-business-forum-highlights-new-trade-potential-at-world-halal-summit-3210558