BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 7. The Halal Business Forum is being held in Baku, Trend reports.
The event was addressed by the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency, Goshgar Tahmazli, First Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Elnur Aliyev, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) Orkhan Mammadov, and other officials and company representatives.
The forum discusses topics such as: “Creating a competitive environment for Islamic finance in emerging markets”; “Experiences from different regions and lessons learned”; “Halal business management”; “Harmony of success or success of harmony.”
Speaking at the event, Azerbaijan's First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev noted that the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) amounted to approximately $6 billion over the period from January through August 2025.
“Azerbaijan remains one of the most active participants in the OIC and attaches great importance to the development of political, economic, and cultural ties with member states,” he said.
According to Aliyev, Azerbaijan has made a significant contribution to strengthening multiculturalism, intercultural and intercivilizational dialogue, as well as promoting Islamic values in the world.
He recalled that this was recognized by the declaration of Baku in 2009 and Nakhchivan in 2018 as capitals of Islamic culture. In addition, the events held in 2017 as part of the Year of Islamic Solidarity contributed to the expansion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Muslim countries.
The First Deputy Minister expressed his gratitude to the OIC and its relevant structures for their support in holding the forum, noting that Azerbaijan's economic and trade agreements with OIC states are aimed at simplifying trade, strengthening customs cooperation, and stimulating investment.
" There are currently around 11,000 companies from OIC member states operating in Azerbaijan," Aliyev said, stressing that these figures not only reflect the high level of economic ties and mutual interest but also confirm Azerbaijan's role as one of the key economic partners and initiators of cooperation within the OIC.
Furthermore, Almaz Kairbekov, Director of the State Agency “Center for Halal Industry Development” under the Ministry of Economy and Trade of Kyrgyzstan, stated that Kyrgyzstan is ready to develop a joint halal industry with Azerbaijan.
He emphasized the importance of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan in the field of the halal industry. According to him, Azerbaijan's participation in international standards and forums has given a powerful impetus to the development of the industry in the region.
Kairbekov noted that Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan are working together in the Islamic Countries Standardization Institute, which has made it possible to attract other countries, including Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, to promote halal products on international markets.
“Azerbaijan is making good progress in developing the halal industry, and we hope to jointly improve qualifications and expand cooperation,” the director emphasized.
He also noted Azerbaijan's active participation in international forums and exhibitions, including the current forum, where Kyrgyzstan is represented jointly with Azerbaijan.
Kairbekov emphasized that the halal industry is not only about food, but also tourism, cosmetics, banking services, and economic integration of countries. “We are ready to work together with Azerbaijan in this difficult but very beneficial cause for humanity,” he said, expressing gratitude for the achievements and support of the Azerbaijani side.
Samer Elesaw, head of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Center of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, noted that global spending on halal products will reach nearly $3 trillion in 2027.
According to Samer Elesawi, within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, imports of halal products will grow from $359 billion in 2022 to around $492 billion by 2027, reflecting the enormous potential of the halal economy.
He noted that this growth opens up new opportunities for economic development, attracting investment, stimulating trade, and creating jobs.
“The halal industry is becoming one of the key drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth for the member countries of the Islamic Development Bank,” Elesawi emphasized.
According to him, in order to effectively utilize this potential, it is necessary to focus on four strategic areas: infrastructure development, sustainability and green production, the introduction of Islamic finance, and the digital transformation of the halal sector.
He pointed out that Azerbaijan, thanks to its strategic location and growing economy, is in a position to take a leading role in the global halal supply chain.
“Creating industrial parks for halal products and developing a certification system will help the country strengthen its position in international markets,” he added.
Elesawi also stressed that the digitalization of the halal sector and the introduction of technologies such as blockchain will increase transparency and trust in products. He congratulated Azerbaijan on the introduction of a new four-category halal certification system and the accreditation of the Azerbaijan Standards Institute by the Turkish Halal Accreditation Agency.
“If we continue to strengthen infrastructure, develop Islamic finance, and innovate, by 2027 the halal economy could become one of the fastest-growing sectors of global trade,” Samer Elesawi concluded.
Two documents were signed during the forum. In particular, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Azerbaijan Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) and Türkiye's Bilişim Vadisi.
The document provides for awareness-raising activities and the implementation of joint initiatives in areas such as the green economy, green technologies, and green entrepreneurship, as well as cooperation in the field of environmental protection.
The document was signed by KOBİA Chairman Orkhan Mammadov and Bilişim Vadisi General Manager Erkam Tüzgen.
The “Joint Declaration on the Baku Climate Coalition for Green Transition of SMEs” was initiated by KOBİA within the framework of COP29. The declaration, aimed at creating a global movement of green SMEs, provides for a number of measures to facilitate the green transition of SMEs in participating countries and overcome the difficulties arising in this area.
To date, more than 20 international organizations and national authorities of foreign countries have acceded to this declaration.
Another document was signed between the Malaysian Halal Development Corporation Berhad and KOBİA. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Berhad CEO Khairul Arifin Bin Sahari and KOBİA Chairman Orkhan Mammadov.
The document provides for cooperation in the areas of business, investment, and export, as well as the halal industry, including the exchange of knowledge and experience, joint training programs, and other areas using the capabilities of both organizations.
The forum will continue tomorrow.
