RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Islamic Council of Thailand on the sidelines of the third Makkah Halal Forum, a press release by the Saudi food safety watchdog said Monday.
The event took place at the Makkah Chamber Exhibitions and Events Center.
The signing ceremony was attended by Sheikh Saad bin Nasser Al-Shathri, adviser at the royal court and a member of the Council of Senior Scholars; Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, minister of commerce; Saad bin Othman Al-Qasabi, governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization; Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey, CEO of the SFDA and chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Halal Center; and Abdullah Saleh Kamel, chairman of the board of directors of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and president of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce.
The MoU was signed by Abdulaziz Al-Rashoudi, CEO of the Saudi Halal Center, and Maj. Gen. Surin Palare, CICOT secretary-general.
The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation between both sides and develop the global halal ecosystem.
By strengthening the sector’s international standing, this collaboration will enhance the role of halal trade in diversifying the economy and opening new horizons for products in global markets.
This cooperation builds on the Saudi Halal Center’s efforts to establish the halal mark as a globally trusted standard. 

Furthermore, it extends the international reach of the Halal Academy to train professionals and build capacity, thereby strengthening global confidence in halal products.
By taking this step, the SFDA continues to expand its regional and international presence, consolidating Saudi Arabia’s role as a leader in establishing high-standard, reliable halal systems and ensuring that halal products remain competitive and trusted worldwide.