Halal business world gather in Istanbul

World Halal Summit 2018 and the 6th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Halal Expo kicked off in Istanbul on Thursday.

The two major gatherings on the global market for products and services conforming to Islamic guidelines (known as halal) -- organized under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency -- will gather some 250 exhibitors during four days.

This year the summit and the expo -- for which Anadolu Agency is the global communications partner -- are expected to attract scholars, company representatives, experts, business people and politicians from around 80 countries.

The summit hosts several key-note speakers across the world including Yusuf Islam, also known as Cat Stevens.

With the theme of "Halal and Healthy Life: Awareness and Sustainability", the summit focuses on standardization, halal food, halal slaughtering, halal medicine, halal tourism, and halal finance.

Over 500 buyers attend the expo from the Middle East, West and Central Europe, the Balkans, and Africa.

The event is organized by Discover Events in cooperation with the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) and Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT).

Last year nearly 30,000 visitors from 72 countries and 150 exhibitors took part in the massive gathering.