What represents an effective Halal economy and what are the regional and global opportunities on offer servicing, supplying, financing and managing this sector? How large, potentially, is the Halal economy both domestically and internationally? What are the prime sectors engaged in this exciting sector? Are companies in the Halal economy exclusively using Islamic financial services, and if not, why? What role does technology play and how do government and regulators enable, promote and grow the Halal ecosystem? Who are the major international players and how can Malaysia maintain and extend the country’s head start in Halal industry services? How can Malaysia increase foreign direct investment into Halal goods manufacturing for both local consumption and export? Lastly, how do we undertake effective value chain analysis of the Halal economy and how do Islamic financial institutions position themselves to offer successful financing solutions?

Considering the economic and managerial issues of the Halal economy, what environment is conducive for the growth of Halal ecosystems and what infrastructure is necessary for the development of the Halal value and supply chain? As a wide and well-established trade zone, what does ASEAN offer the Halal industry and what is the current situation with taxation, incentives and tariffs? Locally, what do Halal sourcing programs and self-contained Halal parks offer companies engaged in the Halal value chain, and what financial incentives are on offer? How can we cultivate and retain a well-trained, highly skilled and effective workforce? What role does Islamic finance play in all of this and what advice, leadership and guidance should financial institutions be offering?

What is the perception of Islamic finance among SMEs and what is the readiness of this vital sector in terms of accepting and adopting Islamic financial services? What can be done to increase this readiness in terms of education, awareness and, if necessary, incentivisation? What do SMEs engaged in the Halal economy require in terms of financial services and products, in particular to help them take advantage of foreign trade and export opportunities, while effectively managing risk in the cross-border value chain? How are Islamic financial institutions positioning themselves to serve the SME sector and what programs and initiatives are in place? What more can be done? Finally, how does technology – in particular, crowdfunding – offer a viable alternative for funding the SME sector?

Where do corporate, trade finance, forex and treasury products for larger companies and corporates play a role in the financing and development of the Halal economy? How can Islamic finance build appeal and maintain competitiveness in this segment? How can trade and export opportunities in the Halal sector be effectively financed and leveraged on? What Takaful and investment management solutions are demanded by and are available to large organisations? We explore this important sector.

With certification playing a key role in the successful development of a Halal value chain, how do we maintain guaranteed, robust Halal certification, audit and compliance programs? How also do we leverage on Malaysia’s enviable position as a provider of globally recognised Halal certification standards? When and how will the Shariah compliance of finance and funding sources be included as a vital consideration in Halal certification appraisals? What role do financial institutions, regulators and standard setters play in this vital part of the process and how can technology be more effectively employed?