A high-powered delegation from SMIIC, including Secretary General Ihsan Ovut and technical experts in standardization, certification and accreditation, is in The Gambia from June 1 st to 5th June to conduct awareness sessions and specialized training for stakeholders and technical staff at Banjul International Conference Centre .
The workshop seeks to strengthen The Gambia's National Halal Quality Infrastructure and support efforts to establish internationally recognized halal certification, accreditation and conformity assessment systems.
Delivering the welcome address, Director General of The Gambia Standards Bureau, Papa Secka, said The Gambia's challenge is not a lack of understanding of halal principles but the need to transform centuries of Islamic practice into a modern and internationally recognized quality assurance system.
He explained that the Bureau has also established a Technical Committee on Halal and has been selected as Secretariat of the ECOWAS Technical Harmonization Committee on Halal.
He noted that halal values have guided Gambian society for centuries and stressed that the country must now modernize and institutionalize existing practices through standards, certification, accreditation and testing systems. Such measures, he said, would protect consumers, create export opportunities, attract investment and generate employment, while helping position The Gambia as a regional hub for halal-certified products and services.
Speaking at the ceremony, SMIIC Secretary General Ihsan Ovut, commended The Gambia Standards Bureau and the Government of The Gambia for their commitment to developing halal quality infrastructure.
Ovut said halal standards have become increasingly important in today's global economy as demand expands beyond food products to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tourism, logistics and finance. He noted that harmonized standards are essential for boosting consumer confidence and facilitating trade among OIC member states.
"Developing standards is only the first step. The true value of standards lies in their adoption, implementation and practical use," he said, expressing confidence that the workshop would strengthen national capacity and support The Gambia's aspirations for internationally recognized halal certification systems.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Deputy Permanent Secretary Abdoulie Jammeh described the global halal industry as one of the world's fastest-growing economic sectors.
He said the halal market was valued at approximately US$2.5 trillion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$3.5 trillion by 2028, driven by rising consumer demand for ethical, safe and sustainable products.
Jammeh said the ministry would support the development of a national halal industry roadmap, strengthen public-private sector collaboration and facilitate the establishment of a Halal Certification Body within the Gambia Standards Bureau. He urged stakeholders to work together to build a credible halal ecosystem capable of competing in regional and international markets.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to The Gambia, Türker Oba, reaffirmed Turkiye's commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives and institutional development within OIC member states.
He welcomed the growing cooperation between The Gambia, SMIIC and Turkish institutions, noting that stronger halal standards and quality infrastructure would contribute to trade facilitation, consumer protection and economic growth.
The ambassador also commended the Gambia Standards Bureau for its leadership and expressed confidence that the workshop would further strengthen technical cooperation between the two countries.
