The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging individuals wanting to start a business to look into the Halal market due to its big potential.
“There are many tourists that skip visiting the Philippines because there are only a few places where they can eat,” said
Ramon Lopez, DTI secretary and chair of the Halal Export Development and Promotion Board, a policy-making body composed of public and private sector representatives.
Lopez cited the recently-concluded Southeast Asian Games to illustrate the potential market in the region.
He said entrepreneurs should start with a change in mindset and see Halal as a lifestyle that can be enjoyed by everyone. To note, the Philippines has barely scratched the surface of the $ 3.3 trillion global Halal market.
The DTI is promoting this because Halal certified food products connote positive attributes such as being clean, healthy, and pure. We encourage more companies to apply for Halal certification because it opens more markets, so more consumers can buy their products. Some local companies are already starting by certifying their canned tuna and corned beef products,” he added.
He sees Singapore as a good model for domestic promotion. Like the Philippines, only 10 percent of the Singaporean population are Muslims, but there are many groceries selling Halal products.
There are nine Halal-certifying bodies in the Philippines, namely the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines, Halal Development Institute of the Philippines, Mindanao Halal Authority, Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board, Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries in the Philippines, Mindanao Halal Authority, Islamic Advocate on Halal and Development, Philippine Ulama Congress Organization, Alliance for Halal Integrity in the Philippines Inc., and Prime Aisa Pacific. But Sec. Lopez is pushing for more certifying bodies to accommodate more applicants.
Halal is an Arabic word that means lawful or permitted and refers to products that can be consumed by Muslims. Food, cosmetics and personal care items, as well as hotels and restaurants are some products and services that can be Halal-certified.
