Positioning Bangladesh in Global Halal Economy

On March 14, 2026, I had the privilege of participating in a high-level Roundtable Discussion titled "Positioning Bangladesh in the Global Halal Economy: Strategy, Standards & Sustainability". Held at Club'89 Limited in Gulshan, Dhaka, this event was organized by EXPOPRO, a leading private Trade and Investment Promotion Organization, with the support of Stryke.

The gathering brought together an influential mix of business leaders, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to explore how Bangladesh can strengthen its footprint in the rapidly expanding multi-trillion-dollar global halal market.

Strategic Insights and Key Proposals

The session was moderated by Md Mamunur Rahman, Founder & CEO of EXPOPRO, who emphasized the urgent need for a robust halal ecosystem supported by credible standards and modern infrastructure. A keynote paper presented by Dr. Md. Mominul Islam of IUBAT set the stage for a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing our nation.

Several critical themes emerged from our discussions:

Keynote Presentation

Establishment of a Bangladesh Halal Authority: Participants highlighted the necessity of a dedicated national body to oversee the industry.

Export Diversification: While food and beverages are vital, there is significant potential to expand into pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, leather goods, and halal tourism.

Certification and Traceability: Speakers underscored the importance of internationally credible certification frameworks and technology-driven traceability to ensure global competitiveness.

Collaboration: Realizing our potential requires a clear national strategy and stronger synergy between government agencies and the private sector.

We were also honored by the presence of Chief Guest His Excellency Mosud Mannan, NDC (Former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Turkey), and Special Guests Syed Moazzam Hossain (President of ABCCI) and Shabbir A. Khan (President of BMCCI).

The Re-Launch of BIHAS 2026

The highlight of the evening was the formal announcement by Md Mamunur Rahman regarding the re-launch of the 1st Bangladesh International Halal Showcase 2026 (BIHAS 2026).

Scheduled for July 18-19, 2026, at the Sheraton Dhaka, BIHAS 2026 is designed to be a premier international platform. The two-day event will feature:

An International Halal Business Conference.
Industry showcases and panel discussions.
Business networking sessions to facilitate trade partnerships and investment.

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh, with its strong agricultural base and predominantly Muslim population, is uniquely positioned to become a major contributor to the global halal economy. Initiatives like BIHAS 2026 are essential steps toward raising awareness, encouraging investment, and promoting our country as an emerging destination for halal trade.The event concluded with a cordial Iftar gathering, providing a wonderful opportunity for networking and further exchange of ideas in a spirit of collaboration. I look forward to seeing these strategies turn into reality as we move toward the showcase in July.