Seminar on “Halal Ecosystem in the ASEAN Region: Opportunities for Bangladesh”

Seminar on “Halal Ecosystem in the ASEAN Region: Opportunities for Bangladesh”

BIISS Auditorium, Dhaka on 12 August 2026

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) successfully hosted a Seminar on “Halal Ecosystem in the ASEAN Region: Opportunities for Bangladesh” on 12 August, 2026. Mr Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, graced the event as the esteemed Chief Guest. The session was chaired by Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, awc, afwc, psc, G, Director General of BIISS, who also delivered the welcome address.

Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director, BIISS, delivered the keynote presentation titled “Halal Ecosystem in the ASEAN Region: Opportunities and Way Forward”. Additionally, Dr AKM Badrul Ahsan, Director (in Charge), Halal Certification, Bangladesh Islamic Foundation and S M Abu Sayed, Deputy Director (Halal Certification), Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) were Panellists for the event.

In his welcome address, Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, awc, afwc, psc, G, highlighted the growing global demand for Halal-certified goods and emphasised the importance of leveraging ASEAN partnerships to expand Bangladesh’s trade and economic footprint in the sector.

The Chief Guest of the Seminar, Mr Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, MP, underscored the critical role of the Halal industry in bolstering Bangladesh’s national export potential. He urged local stakeholders and government bodies to align domestic standards with ASEAN regulations to capitalise on the region’s expanding market opportunities.

Senior officials from various ministries, ambassadors, high commissioners, former diplomats, senior military officials, researchers, business professionals, educators, students from diverse universities, representatives from various think tanks, and media personalities actively participated in the program. Their valuable remarks during the open discussion session greatly enriched the event.