The Philippines aims to expand its Halal product offerings by 20 percent in 2024 from the current 3,000 export items.
Acting Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque said she wanted to increase the number significantly through active participation in major international Halal events and solidify the Philippines’ global presence.
“The Halal industry is not just a niche market. It is a strategic imperative for the Philippines to tap into the vast global Halal economy and achieve sustainable and inclusive growth,” Roque said during the 1st Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) BIMP-EAGA Trade, Investment and Halal Industry Conference.
Roque emphasized the strategic importance of positioning the Philippines as a leading Halal hub within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.
She said the DTI’s vision aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s aspirations for a “Bagong Pilipinas,” characterized by a customer-focused, collaborative, comprehensive and competitive Halal industry.
The DTI is actively championing initiatives to revitalize the local Halal industry, including the establishment of a Halal-friendly hotel in Clark, Pampanga and a poultry processing facility in Tarlac.
Investment pledges from Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam are expected to bolster these projects.
The 1st PCCI BIMP-EAGA Trade, Investment and Halal Industry Conference, organized by the PCCI in collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., brought together 150 representatives from across the BIMP-EAGA region.
The forum underscored the collective commitment to industrial development, sustainable growth and regional collaboration within the Halal sector.
Roque pledged to support initiatives to achieve shared goals within the region and establish the Philippines as a dynamic and influential player in the global Halal market.
