Makkah Al Mukarramah, February 16 (QNA) - Qatar Chamber and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) signed an agreement to establish a digital platform for halal products.

This came during the sidelines of the 41st Meeting of the General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development and the Mecca Halal Forum, held in Makkah.

The agenda of the General Assembly included key issues including following up on the implementation of decisions from the 40th Session, electing Board Members for the new term, approving the appointment of the new chairman, and endorsing the reports of the 70th and 71st meetings of the Chamber's Finance Committee, including the 2026 budget and the 2024 financial statements.

The meeting also reviewed the approval of new associate members, the Islamic Chamber's membership in the International Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber's annual achievement report for 2025, and its planned activities and events for 2026.

In his remarks on this occasion, HE Chairman of the Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani highlighted the rapid global growth of the Halal sector, noting that it has become a benchmark for sustainability, quality, safety, and integrity. He emphasized that transforming the Halal system into a strategic leverage will strengthen the position of GCC countries as influential hubs regionally and globally, while supporting income diversification and food security.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries lead globally in the halal sector thanks to their advanced legislation, a strong institutional framework, and investment and human capital, His Excellency added.

He also called for the creation of an integrated GCC Halal system based on unified standards, developed legislative and regulatory frameworks, and enhanced accreditation and oversight systems, in line with global best practices, highlighting the private sector's key role in driving the industry.

HE Sheikh Khalifa said that cooperation among chambers of commerce in Islamic countries will help unify efforts to develop standards and specifications, boosting confidence in Halal products and raising transparency and governance within the sector.

His Excellency also emphasized the importance of digital transformation in advancing the Halal industry, noting that innovation and modern technologies are essential for traceability, quality assurance, and enhancing consumer confidence across global markets. (QNA)