malaysiangManila: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has visited the Philippine pavilion at the 2024 Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in Kuala Lumpur from Sep.17 to 20.
During the visit of Ibrahim in the pavilion on Tuesday, DTI Task Force Halal Industry Development Program Manager Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal handed him locally handmade product made in the Philippines.
The country’s participation in this year’s halal expo in Malaysia is part of Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) ‘Halal-Friendly PH’ campaign that underscores the readiness of the Philippines to deliver top-tier halal products, especially food and beverages, ingredients, and wellness items.
‘We have the biggest number this time, a 91-member delegation,’ Guiapal told the Philippine News Agency in a Viber message Thursday.
Guiapal said aside from the 20 exhibitors at the Philippine booth, the delegation includes officials from DTI, Philippine Halal Export and Promotion Board, Department of Science and Technology, Bangko Sentral ng Pili
pinas, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Ministry of Human, and BARMM Economic Zone.
He said the country’s participation in MIHAS supports the Philippine Halal Development Strategic Plan aiming to establish the country as a premier halal gateway in the region.
Under the blueprint, DTI targets to double Philippine-made halal certified products and services by 2028 to 6,000 from the current 3,000 and increase its share in the global halal industry forecasted to value at USD7.7 trillion in 2025.
The halal strategic plan also aims to attract PHP230 billion and generate 200,000 jobs.
Guiapal said the Malaysian government, represented by Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, said they are instrumental in promoting Philippine halal industry and linking local stakeholders to global players.
Malaysia, being one of the top producers of halal food, has offered to train officials and workers in the Philippines, particularl
y in BARMM.
Source: Philippines News agency
