International Halal Industry Fair Sarajevo Halal Fair (SHF) officially opened today in Sarajevo, and will present a rich program with the participation of leading world experts in the field of halal industry, business and the academic community.
Damir Alihodžić, director of the Halal Quality Certification Agency, said that this is an opportunity to highlight the richness and diversity of the halal industry and the important role of the fair as a platform for connecting and promoting halal products and services.
“Halal, as a concept that is harmonized with Islamic principles, promotes quality, today attracts increasing interest from the market around the world. The Sarajevo Halal Fair plays a key role in strengthening awareness of the halal industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The halal industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most developed in the region of Southeast Europe. Halal market is the most organized in Europe. About 7,000 products are certified in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and their number is constantly growing,” said Alihodžić.
He added that it is an obligation for Muslims to consume halal and that is why the market is constantly growing.
Dino Selimović, director of the Sarajevo Business Forum, said that in a world that is increasingly interconnected, the halal industry occupies a special place, not only as a pillar of economic growth, but as a symbol of unity, diversity and respect for religious and cultural differences.
“Today we have gathered to celebrate the extraordinary progress of an industry that aligns business opportunities with faith-based principles. Sarajevo, with its rich history and heritage, is a city that is home to different cultures, religions and traditions. Sarajevo represents a spirit of inclusivity and coexistence that is itself halal the industry tries to nurture,” explained Selimović.
As he said, today’s gathering reflects the growing global interest in the halal industry, which has expanded far beyond the scope of its creation.
“The halal industry has the power and strength to bridge cultural differences,” added Selimović.
Zlatko Mijatović, Minister of Economy in the Canton of Sarajevo, said that in recent days, Sarajevo has been the focal point of very important international events.
“This fair is attended by participants from our country, but also from all over the world. The halal industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. In support of the development of this industry is the fact of the increase in the population of the Islamic faith, which now amounts to about two billion people in the world “, added Mijatović.
Sarajevo Halal Fair provides an additional platform for public education and raising awareness about halal, halal producers and products, and the halal market.
In the past two years, due to the pandemic, the Sarajevo Halal Fair was not organized. This year, 66 exhibitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region and beyond are participating in the fair.
Due to the increase in demand for halal products and services around the world, the halal market represents an opportunity for the development and improvement of business at the domestic and global level, according to the organizers.
