Page 23 - CMA Journal (Mar-Apr 2025)

Exclusive Interview

One of the forums launched by ICHS is the Makkah Halal
ICCD has a specialized halal Forum, which for two years now has convened industry
leaders from more than 120 countries to explore current
executive arm, the Islamic trends, tackle emerging challenges, and uncover new
Chamber of Halal Services (ICHS), growth opportunities within the global Halal market. We
have just launched the first edition of the London Halal
which aims to drive the growth of Summit in November 2025, which serves as a premier
platform for discussing and implementing the latest
the global halal market and strategies and recommendations among international
stakeholders in the Halal industry. By nurturing
facilitate business opportunities collaboration across the Halal ecosystem, ICCD
empowers businesses to align with international Halal
standards, unlocking access to new markets and
Through these initiatives, ICCD continues to position
accelerating trade flows.
itself as a facilitator of meaningful progress in Islamic
banking by connecting institutions, thought leaders, and ICMA: In what ways does ICCD facilitate investment
policymakers across its member states. We remain opportunities and joint ventures between member
committed to enabling Islamic finance to serve as a nations?
mainstream engine for inclusive, values-driven Yousef Hassan Khalawi: One of the most significant
economic advancement, especially in dynamic markets platforms for intra-OIC private sector cooperation is
like Pakistan.
ICCD’s biannual statutory meetings, which bring
ICMA: How is ICCD promoting the development and together high-level representatives, business leaders,
expansion of halal trade among Islamic countries? and delegations from its 67 member chambers. These

Yousef Hassan Khalawi: Being one of our priority areas, gatherings provide a platform for networking and
we are dedicated to strengthening the global presence discussing strategic intra-trade and cooperation
of the Halal industry by driving its development and opportunities. For more tailored engagements, ICCD
advancing its mission of elevating the global halal uses three tracks for mobilizing investments and joint
economy. Our strategic pillars are centered on ventures namely: International Investment Forums, ICCIA
empowering Muslim businessmen to amplify their Holding Company (ICCD’s investment arm), and
presence in Halal markets, ensuring trust through partnerships.
rigorous authenticity and transparency in certified Within the international forums, ICCD is establishing
products, and globalizing halal by positioning it as a
world-class, professionalized industry. sector-specific events to serve as hubs for building a
dynamic ecosystem for economic collaboration and
By digitizing the halal ecosystem, integrating technology promoting potential investment opportunities across
across production, certification, and distribution, we aim the Islamic world. In addition to hosting these events,
to modernize the sector while unifying stakeholders ICCD actively participates in major international forums,
annually through strategic events that serve as global showcasing the investment landscapes of its member
platforms to foster collaboration and innovation.
countries. By highlighting unique opportunities and
Ultimately, ICCD strives to redefine halal as a lifestyle, sectors ripe for investment, the chamber attracts foreign
expanding its essence beyond food to embody a holistic, direct investment (FDI) and encourages inter-country
values-driven approach rooted in ethics, sustainability, collaborations.
and compassion, ensuring it remains a transformative
force in both the economy and daily life. Under partnerships, ICCD has established strategic
relationships—most notably Manafea, a pioneering
In addition, ICCD has a specialized halal executive arm, initiative in collaboration with the Makkah Chamber of
the Islamic Chamber of Halal Services (ICHS), which aims Commerce and the Al Madinah Chamber of Commerce.
to drive the growth of the global halal market and Subsequently, it expanded to encompass the chambers
facilitate business opportunities. ICHS has launched of Jeddah and Taif, in addition to the Federation of Saudi
several initiatives that include online platforms like: Chambers. Manafea's primary goal is to invest in the holy
Halex and Halal Scoop, international halal specialized status of Makkah and Al Madinah, transforming them
forums around the globe, and capacity building through into hubs for business events and platforms for
its trainings and resources in halal certification designed knowledge and creativity related to the Islamic world
to help companies remain competitive, compliant, and and Islamic principles.
responsive to evolving market demands.

ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Mar-Apr 2025 21