( HDC ) will hold the 12th World Halal Conference 2020 via hybrid , both virtually and physically , on Oct 6 this year in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic .

According to its Chief Executive Officer , Hairol Ariffein Sahari , the recent global pandemic led to consumers shifting towards cleanliness , hygiene and healthy , synonymising with halalan toyyiban , an integral backbone to the halal industry .

“ These unfolding of ‘ new normal ’ in the way the market operates currently is in line with WHC2020 theme of the halal community driving the New World Economy , where market changes were brought about by the community and simultaneously pulling forward the New World Economy ,” Hairol said .

“ And the demand for hygiene and clean products is expected to rise further in the coming days as the result of the growing awareness among consumers .

“ The pandemic has amplified the ongoing shifts in consumers ’ behaviour . It is clear that Covid-19 has accelerated consumers ’ transition to digital consumption , fasttracking the movement towards digital economy .”

He opined the WHC2020 is well-timed to discuss further and put forward suggestions on how the halal sector should address repercussions resulting from the pandemic , and with digitalisation being intensified , the transition to New World Economy .

And with the consumers ’ behavioural changes becoming habits in the long-run , the conference will also look into how to embrace the challenges and opportunities from the increased global demand for halal products and services .

The Oct 6 conference , which will be held both online and offline at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre ( MITEC ), is expected to be launched by the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin with opening remarks by senior minister , International Trade and Industry , Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali .

With a focus topic that will cover on the post-Covid-19 scenario , the conference will feature components such as ambassador panel on empowering the community to drive the economy in the recovery period , captains of the industry panel on responsible consumption and production and driving the growth of the Halal economy through Islamic Finance .

The panel sessions cover issues that are very relevant to the current market shift and will lead to the sharing of ideas to move forward in this recovery mode post-pandemic .

The annual World Halal Conference is renowned as a platform where international networking between government heads , scholars , entrepreneurs and industry leaders to explore the opportunities and challenges relating to the Halal Economy setting the directions for the halal industry moving forward .

According to its Chief Executive Officer , Hairol Ariffein Sahari , the recent global pandemic led to consumers shifting towards cleanliness , hygiene and healthy , synonymising with halalan toyyiban , an integral backbone to the halal industry .

“ WHC2020 will be a hybrid virtual conference . Travel restrictions globally have made coming to the venue impossible ; thus , a virtual platform will allow us to proceed with the conference to include our global partners , delegates and participants to ‘ come ’. And there will be real-time questions online during the sessions .

“ A virtual platform will enable us to include delegates from all over the world to share the experiences and challenges that the halal industry in embracing the changes brought about by the pandemic , both positive and negative , to grow the everexpanding halal economy ,” added Hairol .

HDC is optimistic about the participation at WHC2020 and expects about 300 invited delegates at MITEC following the Standard Operating Procedure ( SOP ) imposed by the government and about 1,500 virtual delegates .

There have been excellent feedbacks todate from the various stakeholders involving the government , industry leaders , halal industry players , media , academicians , and researchers as well as business and trades associates .

For those who have yet to register for this upcoming World Halal Conference 2020 on Oct 6 , HDC ’ s Secretariat can be contacted at 1-800-880-555 / 03 7965 5444 ( within Malaysian ). And for delegates outside Malaysia , please call + 6003 7965 5400 between 8.30am to 5.30pm ( GMT + 8 ), Monday to Friday . Alternatively , email to whc @ hdcglobal . com .