Kuala Lumpur, September 18, 2025 — The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Kuala Lumpur Center of Excellence (KLCoE) participated as a panelist at the World Halal Business Conference (WHBC) 2025, held on 18–19 September at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), in conjunction with the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025. The event was officiated by HE Datuk Tengku Zafrul, Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry.

Mr. Samer Elesawi, Head of KLCoE, joined distinguished panelists including Her Excellency Valeria Csukasi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, and His Excellency Morecome Mumba, High Commissioner to Malaysia, in a session entitled “Advancing the Halal Ecosystem: What’s Next?” The discussion was moderated by Mr. Dhaliff G. Anuar, Head of Halal Consultancy and Advisory at the Halal Development Corporation (HDC).

In his intervention, Mr. Samer emphasized the IsDB’s strategic efforts to strengthen the halal economy across its member countries (MCs). He highlighted the importance for innovative solutions, sustainable practices, and international cooperation to address persistent challenges such as fragmented supply chains, varying certification standards, and infrastructure gaps.

He further underlined IsDB initiatives and the role of Islamic finance in scaling up the industry, particularly through instruments like sukuk and green financing.

KLCoE’s participation at WHBC 2025 reaffirmed IsDB’s commitment to advancing resilient, sustainable, and inclusive halal economies across its MCs.