Introduced this year, the Global Halal Summit (GHaS) is a rebrand of the World Halal Week, an annual gathering of the industry’s brightest minds and passionate Halal professionals, which started in 2004 with the world’s first halal-only international trade show – the Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS).
Celebrating the gathering’s 16th anniversary this year in Kuala Lumpur, the week-long halal meeting place has now evolved to include not just the producers of halal-certified food and non-food products, but also industry captains and players from every stages of the global halal supply chain. With facilitated discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, networking activities and opportunities to further enhance the halal industry, GHaS is undoutedly one of Malaysia’s strongest and most consistent push towards becoming a global Halal hub.
To fastrack the realisation of this ultimate vision, some six programmes have been lined up under the GHaS umbrella this year, each serving a distinct purpose and catering to different target audiences. They include:
- Halal Certification Bodies Convention (HCBC)
As the name implies, the Halal Certification Bodies Convention (HCBC) is a annual gathering of Halal certifiers from all over the world, congregating in Kuala Lumpur to discuss current trends and challenges with the industry. This year marks HCBC’s 10th edition, with discussions centered on certification and the value of halal as a recognised standard within the industry’s best practices. http://www.globalhalalsummit.my/hcbc/
- International Halal Technical Capacity Development Programme (IHTCDP)
The 4th International Halal Technical Capacity Development Programme (IHTCDP) is a training programme held annually, covering both the food and non-food sectors. It gathers halal industry players, business leaders, entrepreneurs and Halal certification bodies from all over the world to Kuala Lumpur, with a common aspiration to further accelerate the growth and development in global halal growth in halal technical knowledge, technology and innovation. http://www.globalhalalsummit.my/ihtcdp/
- International Halal Accreditation Board (IHAB)
The International Halal Accreditation Board (IHAB) is a closed-door intellectual discussion of renowned halal authorities worldwide, all working towards the harmonisation of the global halal systems and standards among member organisations. Membership to the Board is open only for Halal Standard authorities as well as Halal Certification bodies worldwide. Among IHAB’s functions include implementing certification procedures for Halal certifiers, as well as implementing Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) between Halal Standard authorities. IHAB is also a platform that works to harmonise the global halal operations and standards as well as the facilitator of global halal certification and global cooperation within the halal industry.
- Global Halal Industries Congress (GHIC)
Global Halal Industries Congress (GHIC) is a new initiative introduced this year to strengthen halal compliance amongst Halal certificate holders within the industry. Targeted at the Malaysia Halal certificate holders, both local and foreign, GHIC will be focusing on dialogues between the relevant authorities and participating industry players to find solutions to improve the management of halal supply chain, market access as well as ingredients sourcing. As the industry moves toward a “friendly Halal industry” approach, GHIC aims to create a new paradigm shift amongst Halal industry players in fully grasping the core principles of Malaysia Halal Standard. http://www.globalhalalsummit.my/ghic/
- Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS)
The Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) is an annual four-day trade exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur, hosted by the Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Respected as a modern, peaceful and prosperous Islamic country especially among OIC member countries, Malaysia has the added advantage of championing the halal cause. Last year’s MIHAS 2018 received over 21,000 trade visitors and registered over RM1.52 billion in total immediate and negotiated trade sales. http://mihas.com.my/
- World Halal Conference (WHC)
The World Halal Conference (WHC) is an international thought leadership conference 
gathering all segments of the halal industry, including the government, the certifiers, the industry, and other halal stakeholders from all over the world. WHC has in the past provided an ideal platform for intellectual discourse surrounding issues that are pivotal to the development of halal, and has inspired wealth creation from technological breakthroughs and innovation. Hosted annually by Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), this year’s theme is “Fostering a True Halal Economy: Global Integration and Ethical Practise”. http://whc.hdcglobal.com
