MAKKAH — Under the patronage of Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, the third edition of the Makkah Halal Forum 2026 will launch on Feb. 14 at the Makkah Chamber Exhibition and Events Center.Organized by the “Manafie” initiative under the theme “Halal as a professional industry,” the three-day forum will run from Feb. 14 to 16, bringing together government entities, semi-government bodies, private sector leaders and international organizations representing more than 16 countries.The forum’s strategy focuses on advancing the global halal sector by building strategic partnerships across public and private sectors, while strengthening confidence and integration in halal industry standards worldwide.Leaders and decision-makers will convene to shape the future of the sector, following previous editions that achieved measurable international impact, expanded global participation and increased awareness of investment opportunities in halal industries.This year’s edition aims to attract a broader range of industry leaders and specialists, including official representatives from several countries and heads of chambers of commerce from around the world.The program includes panel discussions, bilateral meetings and specialized workshops designed to enhance partnerships and increase trade agreements between Saudi companies and their international counterparts.The forum comes amid rapid global growth in the halal industry, which was valued at approximately $2.42 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach $3.36 trillion by 2028, underscoring the scale of economic opportunities in the sector.Organizers will also present specialized programs supporting halal entrepreneurship, franchising, export and import activities, in addition to the “Halal Experts Corner,” which will offer preliminary assessments of companies’ readiness to obtain halal certification.The event aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen the Kingdom’s leadership in the global halal economy and support Saudi companies in achieving international competitiveness in this expanding sector.