RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Halal Economy Leadership Forum 2024 (HELF 2024) held recently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, set the stage for a momentous gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to advance discussions on the Halal Economy—a vital cornerstone of global commerce. Hosted jointly by the Halal Development Corporation (HDC), the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the event featured the significance of fostering collaboration and driving innovation in the halal industry.

The forum was attended by His Excellency Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, representing Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, The Hon. Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. Also attended were President of IsDB, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, Mr. Fahad S. AlNuhait, Chief Executive Officer of HPDC and Chairman of HDC, Mr. Khairul Azwan Harun. This line-up showed the shared commitment of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia towards advancing the principles and values of the Halal Economy.

The Halal Economy, rooted in Islamic ethics and jurisprudence, spans across diverse industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, finance, and tourism, offering vast opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development. Malaysia, a global leader in the halal industry, has positioned itself as a hub for halal excellence through strategic initiatives and partnerships, facilitating trade and investment between the East and the West.

This strategic partnership aims to leverage the collective expertise and resources of the organizations involved to drive innovation, facilitate trade, and promote economic development within the halal industry across 57 Member Countries and Non-member Countries.

Quoting Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul’s speech read by H.E Datuk Wan Zaidi, he emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing the halal economy, stating, “This tripartite collaboration signifies a significant step forward in our efforts to strengthen the halal ecosystem and promote inclusive economic growth among IsDB Member Countries and beyond.”

Part of the HELF 2024, a Business-to-Business (B2B) networking session hosted by the HPDC was held for the Malaysian delegates. Both the B2B and HELF 2024 managed to achieve its target to help the industry players gain insights and acquire knowledge on Halal, as well as sourcing or securing new strategic partnerships for businesses. Among the countries that show interest in getting HDC’s expertise are Nigeria, Pakistan, Mauritius, Morocco, Rwanda, and South Africa.

The outcome of this collaboration is to offer IsDB Member Countries and non-member countries the best solutions in the Halal Ecosystem Development & Enablement. This includes utilizing financial instruments available to address intra-trade deficits and capitalize on potential markets. The forum also outlines joint efforts to develop a high-quality halal products ecosystem and analyze successful halal ecosystem models and market solutions.

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PARIS, May 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France was held here on Saturday, in a bid to boost cooperation and mutual learning.

The participants agreed that strengthening cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and France will not only help broaden consensus and deepen mutual trust, but also promote the two great civilizations and other civilizations worldwide to achieve each other and to rejuvenate with fresh vitality in the new era.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and is also the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

In his opening speech, President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua said the forum, held on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to France, is of great significance in boosting cooperation between media, think tanks and enterprises from the two countries and in facilitating cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Fu said that Xinhua has been dedicated to telling stories about the friendship between the two countries and promoting Chinese and French cultures.

“We are willing to work with Chinese and French media outlets, think tanks and other organizations to uphold the principle of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, and promote the common values of all humanity,” he said.

Xinhua is ready to jointly showcase the fruits of China-France cooperation, demonstrate the charms of the two countries’ traditional cultures and the unique highlights of their modern civilizations, and broaden the bridge of people-to-people exchange and cultural cooperation, Fu noted.

Xinhua also stands ready to seize such opportunities as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games to try to hold more cultural exchange activities to push bilateral relations to a new high.

China’s Ambassador to France Lu Shaye said people-to-people and cultural exchanges are an important foundation and inexhaustible driving force for China-France relations.

The two countries are set to launch dozens of cultural and tourism events this year that marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and will see the Paris Olympic Games, bringing important opportunities for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the ambassador said.

Lu also expressed his belief that under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Macron, bilateral ties are bound to show vigor and vitality in the future, and the booming cultural exchanges and cooperation will also lay a more solid public opinion foundation for the sound and stable development of bilateral ties.

“Culture constitutes the strongest cement between our civilizations,” Eric Alauzet, president of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly, said at the forum.

The common history of the two countries after the establishment of diplomatic ties has nourished fruitful cultural and people-to-people exchanges, which has in turn driven cooperation and development in other areas, he said.

Bilateral cooperation has achieved many outcomes in economy and trade, and in their joint efforts against climate change, Alauzet added, noting that the two countries have held various cultural exchange activities this year, which will further push forward bilateral relations.

Saturday’s forum is co-sponsored by Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Embassy in France, and Publicis Groupe, a French multinational advertising and public relations company.

Themed “Reinforcing People-to-people and Cultural Exchanges, Promoting the China-France Spirit,” the forum drew around 250 representatives from the Chinese and French governments, the United Nations and other international organizations, mainstream global media outlets, think tanks as well as cultural and business circles of the two countries.

Prior to the opening of the forum, Xinhua News Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Publicis Groupe.

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DOHA, Qatar, May 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, is proud to announce the signing of renowned actor Ahmed Helmy as its new brand ambassador.

The announcement comes in line with the Group’s vision and the values of innovation and excellence reflected by its brand. Ahmed Helmy, one of the most influential artists of his generation in the region and humanitarian and artistic commitment, making him the ideal ambassador to consolidate brand values and contribute to the Group’s efforts to build a better future for all.

In his new role, Ahmed will strengthen the Bank’s image as a leading financial institution committed to providing the best customer experience, attracting a new customer base, supporting the Group’s vision and brand and building customer relationships.

Commenting on the announcement, Ms. Heba Ali Al Tamimi,  Senior Executive Vice President, QNB Group Communications, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ahmed Helmy as our brand ambassador. His exceptional career makes him the right personality to represent our brand. We hope that this collaboration will support QNB Group’s commitment to providing the best innovative solutions and services, reinforcing our position as a leading financial institution, while making a lasting impact in the communities in which we operate and strengthening the QNB’s position as a trusted financial partner in the region.”

This partnership reflects the shared values of Ahmed Helmy with QNB, a banking icon committed to the highest standards of innovation, excellence and success.

QNB Group currently ranks as the most valuable bank brand in the Middle East and Africa. Through its subsidiaries and associate companies, the Group’s presence spans more than 28 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is 30,000, operating from approximately 900 locations, with an ATM network of 5000 machines.     

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