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THE Philippine halal industry earned a total of $7.8 billion in trade deals and revenues from various international expos in 2024, a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) official said on Tuesday.
Speaking in a government television program, DTI Halal Industry Development Office Program Manager Aleem Guiapal recounted their successful participation at food events in Malaysia, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.
He noted that his office would be promoting halal products at the Embassy of Malaysia on June 26.
“For this year, we are going to be more visible in our domestic expo, and our participation in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Malaysia will continue,” Guiapal added.
Among the upcoming domestic events are the Mindanao Halal Expo, a partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to be held in August at the SMX Convention Center in Davao; the 3rd Travel Sale Expo in September at SM Mega Mall; and the 8th Philippine National Halal Conference and Halal Expo Philippines in November at the World Trade Center in Pasay.
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Preceding these is the Halal Ecosystem and Promotion of Islamic Finance and Islamic Insurance event on July 15, also at the World Trade Center.
The DTI has also been encouraging micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enter the halal industry by applying for certification and joining the expos.
“In Calabarzon, the DTI supported issuing halal certifications,” Guiapal said, adding that the agency will do the same thing in other regions around the country.
“Every dollar that we make... has a big effect on our economy, our farmers, workers, and most especially, our entrepreneurs,” Guiapal pointed out, saying that the food, tourism, lifestyle and wellness sectors had been contributing to the development of halal as an industry in the Philippines.
At the Saudi Halal Expo, Guiapal said, ”market demand for seafood was high.”
Halal-certified products are likewise offered to tourists. “In fact, we already have halal-certified kitchens at five-star and three-star hotels in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” Guiapal said, adding that this development may draw more Muslim tourists to the country.
