Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual stressed the need to fully develop the Philippine Halal Ecosystem during the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board Meeting on October 4 at the DTI Board of Investments building in Makati City.
He emphasized the DTI is taking the lead in creating market space for Filipinos in the Halal industry, especially for startups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The DTI Secretary said, “In developing the Philippine Halal Ecosystem, there is a need to provide a framework for business owners to be part of the growing USD 3 trillion industry. We see it as a value proposition that existing companies can be part of. The mandate of the law (RA 10817) creating the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board is not limited to our role in the accreditation and certification of Halal entities, products, food and beverages, cosmetics, and services.”
He also noted, the DTI is in the process of consolidating programs along with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and private sector representatives to draft the Philippine Halal Strategic Plan 2023-2028.
The Philippine Halal Strategic Plan will supplement the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan 2022-2028 which operates on four pillars: (1) Halal Integrity, (2) Industry Development, (3) Capacity Building, and (4) Marketing and Investment Promotions.
Secretary Pascual added the DTI is actively working to raise awareness in appreciating the Halal industry as a value proposition. The Department is working to realize its goal of presenting the Philippines as one of the most preferred investment hubs for the Halal market space in the ASEAN region.
Further, he cited the DTI remains committed to the goal of capitalizing on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement to fully develop and support our industries and the Muslim Filipino population.
Secretary Pascual and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Trade, Investments and Tourism Minister Abuamri Taddik also signed the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board and the Bangsamoro Halal Board on Halal Development and Promotion.
The MOC provides the framework of cooperation for Halal industry development and promotion, such as the development and promotion of products and services, harmonization of standards and regulations, and promotion of Islamic financing products and investments supportive of Halal.
Secretary Pascual also spearheaded the creation of the Special Task Force on Halal Industry Development following Department Order No. 23-133 issued on September 20.
He stressed, “Our direction is to develop the Philippine Halal Ecosystem from end to end with the usual support of attending agencies today and others who had embarked the country’s positioning in the Halal industry. As we move forward we see our collaborations to strengthen our market intelligence and branding in terms of our trade and investment promotions and addresses other pillars such as Halal Integrity, Industry Development, and Capacity Building. Hence the creation of the DTI-Special Task Force.”
