SINGAPORE, 2 October 2025 – The Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI), in collaboration with Scarf Media Indonesia, proudly presents the Halal Creative Forum 2025, an inaugural event designed to accelerate the growth of the regional halal creative economy and deepen Singapore-Indonesia trade partnerships.
The Forum will be held on 7 October 2025 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, as part of Muslimah Creative Day 2025. It will convene a diverse network of entrepreneurs, creatives, policymakers, and investors from across Singapore and Indonesia, highlighting opportunities for cross-border collaboration in business, lifestyle, fashion, and wellness.
According to a report by The Halal Times, the global halal economy is projected to reach USD 5 trillion by 2030, driven by rising demand for halal-certified products and services across food, fashion, beauty, wellness, and creative sectors. Within ASEAN, Indonesia leads with a halal consumer market worth more than USD 230 billion annually. At the same time, Singapore continues to position itself as a trusted hub for business access, certification, and international trade connectivity.
“Singapore’s strength lies in its strategic positioning as a connector between regional markets and global opportunities,” said Dr Abdul Malik Hassan, President of SMCCI. “Indonesia’s scale and creativity, combined with Singapore’s international reach, create an unparalleled platform for our SMEs to thrive in the halal lifestyle and creative economy.”
Strategic Partnership with Scarf Media Indonesia
This year’s Forum marks a landmark partnership between SMCCI and Scarf Media Indonesia, the country’s leading lifestyle platform for modern Muslim consumers. Through this collaboration, several of Indonesia’s most influential brands will be showcased in Singapore, including KAMI, one of the nation’s most recognisable modest fashion labels. By leveraging Scarf Media’s extensive network and audience reach, the Forum will enable Singapore-based brands to connect directly with Indonesian buyers, distributors, and partners, unlocking cross-border collaborations and regional expansion opportunities.
“The Halal Creative Forum IP, leading to Muslimah Creative Day, is a platform created by Scarf Media to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders in Indonesia’s halal creative industry. Last year, we successfully brought five entrepreneurs to Singapore, and one of our featured brands, Ria Miranda, is now present in the Singapore market. This year, we held the forum in Singapore in collaboration with SMCCI, recognising the country’s strategic position as a business hub with strong potential for halal creative industry players to expand globally.
We hope to see more Indonesian entrepreneurs enter the global market, especially Singapore, and foster deeper collaboration between both countries. This year, Scarf Media brought 15 creative companies to explore business opportunities in Singapore through the Halal Creative Forum. The event is also supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Creative Economy and the Ministry of Trade,” said Temi Sumarlin, CEO of Scarf Media Indonesia.
SELOKAL Marketplace 2025: Showcase, Sell, and Scale
A key highlight of the event is the SELOKAL Marketplace by SMCCI, a curated showcase of Singapore-based brands alongside regional vendors. The marketplace is designed to connect businesses with potential customers, distributors, and collaborators while providing greater visibility for SMEs seeking to expand into Indonesia and beyond. It will feature businesses across sectors including retail, lifestyle, consultancy, services, and pre-packed F&B, aligning with the growing demand for diverse halal-certified offerings.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
The Halal Creative Forum 2025 will also spotlight the evolving role of women entrepreneurs in shaping the creative economy. Speakers from both countries will highlight innovation, leadership, and resilience among women-led ventures. Led by an industry expert moderator, discussions will also explore scaling exports, digital transformation, and business competitiveness in ASEAN’s growing halal sector.
With ASEAN’s halal lifestyle and creative economy growing at an estimated 8.5% annually, the Forum provides a strategic platform for Singapore-based SMEs to tap into Indonesia’s fast-growing consumer market, forge cross-border partnerships, and strengthen their position within the global halal ecosystem.
Dr Abdul Malik added, “The future of the halal lifestyle economy lies in partnerships, and SELOKAL Marketplace 2025 embodies that vision. Our collaboration with Scarf Media positions SMCCI to lead in connecting Singapore’s businesses with Indonesia’s dynamic halal creative space. This is about building bridges, driving innovation, and creating opportunities for our brands to scale and compete on the regional stage.”