THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the Philippines’ partnerships with Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia as a good means to increase and improve the country’s capacity for manufacture of halal products and services.
During the official launching of the Davao-General Santos City-Bitung roll-on roll-off (Roro) route at Kudos Port last Sunday, April 30, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said the importance of the support that will be given to the Roro service route as such connectivity will also help build the halal market for the Philippines.
Halal is an Arabic word meaning permissible based on Islamic Sharia law and the term can cover both goods, such as foods, drinks, medicines, clothing and cosmetics, and services as well as places.
“We’re now building the halal capability of the Philippines. We recognize the huge market potential of halal in the world about $2 to $3 trillion and we have not really tapped that market. It’s through partnerships now with Brunei and Indonesia that we’re trying to enhance our capacity to accredit halal products coming from the Philippines so it’s very important that we support projects like this (Davao-Gensan-Bitung Roro services) that will also build the halal market for us,” said Lopez.
He added the Philippines’ lack of halal-certified establishments cause less Muslim tourists’ arrivals. Aside from halal processed food and cosmetics and personal care that the Philippines will be able to import and export to other countries, Lopez also hopes that in the long run, the country will be able to provide halal services as well.
“That’s why we can’t attract Muslim tourists because we lack Halal restaurants and resorts that they can go to. That is what we’re trying to build now with technical cooperation from Brunei, Indonesia, even Malaysia so we can increase our capacity to manufacture halal accredited products,” he said.
Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Art Boncato said the implementing rules and regulations for the halal Law is still in the process of approval from the stakeholders but once it’s done, the government can start with being aggressive in terms of enhancing the Halal industry in the country.
“There is a halal Law creating the Philippine Halal board, which is actually chaired by the DTI through our export marketing bureau. So the role of the halal board is to strengthen the halal industry in the Philippines. The role of the DTI there is to make sure that our products are halal certified and we create halal standards that are accepted in all parts of the world looking for halal goods,” said Boncato.
In Davao City, to better educate the people about halal foods and services, the Universal Islamic Center Foundation (UICF) will hold the first Philippine Halal Trade and Tourism Expo at Seda Hotel on May 4, to be followed by a Muslim Attire Fashion Show from May 5 to 7 at the Abreeza Ayala Mall. (JPA)