Halal Forum MoU: SFDA And CICOT Boost Global Halal Ecosystem Collaboration

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Islamic Council of Thailand during the third Makkah Halal Forum at the Makkah Chamber Exhibitions and Events Center, aiming to deepen cooperation and support the global halal ecosystem through shared standards and joint activities.

The memorandum was signed by CEO of the Saudi Halal Center Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Rashoudi and Secretary General of the Central Islamic Council of Thailand Maj. Gen. Surin Palare, in a ceremony attended by senior Saudi officials and representatives of Islamic commercial institutions.

The agreement focuses on building closer institutional links between both parties, supporting mutual recognition efforts, and improving coordination on halal certification, which is designed to develop the global halal ecosystem, strengthen halal trade flows, and create broader access for products in international markets.

The signing took place in the presence of Advisor at the Royal Court and Member of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh Dr. Saad bin Nasser Al-Shathri, Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi, Governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology & Quality Organization Dr. Saad Al-Kasabi, and other leading economic figures.

This cooperation supports the Saudi Halal Center’s work to position the Halal Mark as a trusted global reference, while extending the reach of the Halal Academy, which trains specialists and builds professional capacity, helping to reinforce confidence in halal products across the global halal ecosystem.

Through this step, the SFDA continues to expand regional and international activities, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position in developing reliable halal systems, so that halal products remain competitive, consistent with high standards, and accepted in markets worldwide within the growing global halal ecosystem.

With inputs from SPA