MAKKAH — Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi inaugurated the third edition of the Makkah Halal Forum 2026 on Sunday under the theme “Halal: A Professional Industry.”Held at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce Exhibition and Events Center, the forum brought together international officials, regulators and industry leaders, including representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Malaysia and Türkiye, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing role as a hub for sustainable investment in the halal sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030. **media[2663743]** In his opening remarks, Al-Qasabi said the forum reflects the halal sector’s transition from a growing market into a fully integrated industry governed by quality, governance and transparency standards.He said the Kingdom has adopted a strategic approach to position itself as a global hub for the halal industry through an advanced legislative and regulatory framework, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to fostering a competitive environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship.Abdullah Saleh Kamel, chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development and the Federation of Saudi Chambers, said the forum has evolved from a platform for dialogue into a platform for decision-making. **media[2663744]** Kamel said the event is designed to serve as a lasting international platform to redefine the halal industry and enhance its role in the global economy, describing halal as a vision that balances values and growth.During the opening ceremony, organizers launched the “Golden Halal” logo as a consumer trust mark reflecting high standards of quality and compliance, and announced the establishment of the Halal Academy.The forum also witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency, as well as with the Central Islamic Council of Thailand, aimed at strengthening cooperation, unifying standards and expanding international recognition of Saudi-issued certifications.