Philippines keen to promote halal products in GCC markets

The Philippines has consolidated a well-built team of government agencies to ramp up the country’s halal ecosystem, allowing industry stakeholders to tap foreign markets, such as the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has said."We see the opportunity to be present in Gulf Co-operation Council countries. We want our programmes and initiatives to be felt there,” said Aleem Siddiqui M Guiapal, Director and Programme Manager of the DTI’s Halal Industry Development and Trade Office.In an exclusive interview with Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2024, which concluded here today, Guiapal provided an outline of the Philippines’ ambitious plans to expand its halal industry.According to Guiapal, part of the DTI’s comprehensive strategy to enhance and develop the Southeast Asian nation’s halal sector was the launch of a new brand campaign titled ‘Halal Brand in the Philippines’.Guiapal explained that the initiative is an integral part of a broader effort of the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong” Marcos, Jr to boost the Philippines’ halal exports, particularly in the GCC region.Guiapal underscored the growing number of Philippine halal-certified products and services, which currently stand at 3,000. He emphasised that the DTI aims to increase this number by 20% annually until the end of Marcos’ term, targeting approximately some 5,000 certifications.To achieve this goal, Guiapal explained that the DTI is collaborating with various government agencies, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and other halal certification bodies."We are in unison with a more comprehensive, inclusive campaign for the Philippines. For the Philippine delegation’s participation at MIHAS 2024, we didn’t come only to bring our companies, but we also brought government institutions, especially the members of the board of the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Programme,” Guiapal said, adding that the government sent more than 90 delegation members to the event.Guiapal announced that the DOST has already established four halal testing centres across the Philippines. He also explained the DTI’s strategy, which is built on four key pillars: halal integrity, investment promotion, industry development, and capacity building."The DTI is focusing on crucial branding and protecting the integrity of halal-certified products. The Philippines is also increasing investments in the halal sector, developing small and medium-sized enterprises and increasing the number of halal-certified SMEs, and addressing knowledge building in the sector,” Guiapal pointed out.Guiapal also announced plans of the DTI to hold a Philippine halal roadshow in Saudi Arabia and the UAE this year as part of significant efforts to penetrate the GCC market, with plans to expand to Qatar by 2025."Qatar is a promising market for Philippine halal products,” highlighted Guiapal, who added that the DTI has ongoing discussions with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to launch a roadshow in the GCC.Guiapal also said the Philippines is set to launch its first Philippine Halal Expo from November 14 to 16, 2024, further demonstrating the country’s commitment to becoming a significant player in the global halal market.