Twenty-four Philippine companies bagged more than $42 million of export sales and investment leads from over 300 foreign buyers in the country’s participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase held last April 3 to 6 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Led by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions and the Export Marketing Bureau, 24 food and non-food companies showcased the Philippines’ top halal-certified products, as well as some of the country’s top tourism destinations, under a unified national pavilion.
The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone generated a total of $30.15 million worth of investment leads while halal products and services generated $11.93 million of sales.
Among the best-selling products under the HalalPhilippines’ pavilion were cassava chips, coconut water, virgin coconut oil, turmeric brew, and canned tuna. For non-food products, whitening soaps and perfumes sold the most.
“We have been successful in our return to showcase our premier halal-certified products and make a statement that our country is ready to meet the demands of the growing global halal market,” said DTI-CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.
“The Philippines is the most visited country pavilion in MIHAS 2019 according to the organizers of MIHAS and was even visited by King of Malaysia Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.”
“Eleven out of 24 companies have participated in the event for the first time. This forms part of our mission to capacitate new Philippine companies for the export halal market,” added Suaco-Juan.
These 11 new companies were Aliments Makkhan Bistro and Café; Baker’s Field Enterprises; B&C Healthy Snack Foods Inc.; Cassava Growers and Processors Association; EJT Food Products; Gee’s Agri Coco Products; General Nutrifoods Phils, Inc.; Herbio Agrinature Processing Center; Mira’s Turmeric Products; Permex Producer and Exporter Corp.; and RK Trading and Services.