First Halal Trade Conference: Islamic Republic of Iran – Southeastern Europe

The Halal Quality Certification Centre, together with the Iranian Economic Chamber, organized the First Halal Trade Conference between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Southeastern Europe in Tehran.

The conference brought together manufacturers and service providers from the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In his opening address, Dr. Dugonjić, head of the Halal Quality Certification Centre, emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran represents one of the most significant halal markets, and that in Southeastern European countries more than 250 manufacturers and service providers hold halal certificates.

“Today’s conference is the first step in strengthening cooperation in halal production, distribution, halal tourism, and investments, while further discussions will continue at the Halal Business Forum to be held in Zagreb on 4 and 5 October 2022,” he added.

“I believe that, by joining forces, we can achieve more significant trade in halal products and services between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Southeastern Europe,” Dr. Dugonjić concluded.

The President of the Iranian Economic Chamber, Mr. Gholam-Hossein Shafiei, stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the leading producers of halal goods among Islamic countries and that halal food is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries in recent years.

He pointed out that the food sector in Iran is the third-largest manufacturing industry, after refining, petrochemical, and chemical industries.

Representatives of parliamentary delegations from the Republic of Croatia and the Islamic Republic of Iran also participated in the conference.

Following the opening speeches, two panel sessions were held, featuring presentations on cooperation in halal industry, distribution, and tourism from Southeastern European countries by Mr. Goran Korać (Hilton Hotel Podgorica), Mr. Vedran Kelek (Podravka d.d.), Mr. Mario Modifaj (Ireks Aroma d.o.o.), and Prof. Dr. sc. Amela Semić (AS Group, Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Later in the conference, B2B meetings were held with interested businesspeople from Iran.

It was concluded that there is considerable room for cooperation between Southeastern European countries and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that additional efforts are needed to simplify visa procedures and enable direct air links with these countries.

As part of the official visit, the delegation led by the Halal Quality Certification Centre attended the Agrofood food exhibition, where numerous business discussions were conducted.