Philippines

The Philippine Halal Export Development Board (PHEDB) is fast-tracking the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the country’s halal law.

“Right now, we are finalizing the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Halal Act. Hopefully, before the end of May the IRR can already be released,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional director Sitti Amina Jain told PNA on Friday (May 19).

The PHEDB is co-chaired by the DTI secretary and the chairperson of the Commission of Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

The other members of PHEDB are the Mindanao Development Authority, Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Health, and Department of Foreign Affairs.

Jain said the board, during a recent meeting, also discussed the development of a comprehensive set of strategies and programs, targets and policies, specifically on halal promotion.

Republic Act No. 10817, otherwise known as the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act, which aims to “develop and promote halal industries as a mode of achieving equity and justice” among local farmers and producers, was enacted in May last year.

Jain said Zamboanga City is being positioned as the halal trading center with the development of the Asian Halal Center inside the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Zamboecozone).

“The Zamboecozone allocated at least 100 hectares that will be dedicated for the Asian Halal Center,” Jain said.

The center, which was established in October last year, aims to be the center of Halal industries in the Philippines and in the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Jain, who chairs the Sub-Committee on BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN Concerns of the Regional Development Council in Zamboanga City, said the establishment of the halal center is in line with the policy of the government to tap the lucrative global halal market.

“Our responsibility is to promote the economic zone by inviting foreign investors as well as encouraging local businessmen to invest in halal production and locate in the Zamboecozone,” Jain said.

She said the halal development board will initially concentrate on halal food productions and will “branch out to wellness and beauty products” later.

A series of campaign is expected to be launched for local manufacturers to certify their products as halal. Among the plan is to conduct a halal regional conference in October.

“We have already started the awareness campaign among consumers. We are encouraging SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in food processing to venture into halal production and target the local market. We are not just talking about the Muslim market in Zamboanga Peninsula but also Muslims in the neighboring island provinces who are making Zamboanga City as their grocery area,” she said.

Originally published on www.news.mb.com.ph

Unilever plans to position its  operation in the Philippines as the regional hub for the halal market in Southeast Asia and Australia as it puts up more facilities in the country.

The construction of its mega distribution center in Cabuyao, Laguna is underway, its largest distribution center in the Philippines, to complement its P1.7 billion halal-certified food factory in Trece Martires, Cavite.

Benjie Yap, Unilever president, said the factory has been halal-certified early this year, allowing it to provide specific product requirements of the halal market in the region.

“We’re looking at exporting to Malaysia which requires some halal products specifically. And we’re looking at expanding also to other Muslim population in Southeast Asia,” Yap said.

“We cater to a wide variety of consumers, even in Muslim Mindanao, so we want to make sure that we provide products for them and for other Muslim countries as well. Basically, we want to provide a variety of choices for different individuals across the region,” he added.

Unilever noted the Philippines has yet to realize the potential of the halal market to date.

The company also said building the mega distribution center “allows Unilever Philippines to enhance delivery of goods throughout the country and create a ripple effect of benefits to communities,” with its ability to house 130,000 pallets and 97 loading docks.

Spanning 13.7 hectares, it is expected to facilitate distribution and transport of Unilever’s products manufactured in its Cavite and Paco, Manila facilities. It also has future-ready capabilities to ensure efficient and sustainable operations.

“We’re really very hopeful about the business and the economy moving forward and this reflects in the investments and the money that we’re putting in to help drive the company forward in the country,” Yap said.

Yap added the company is in the process of reviewing its business for further investments that can be poured into the local operation.

“There are also some products which we are importing right now that again we are reviewing if can localize and export. Once the review is finalized, there will be new investments coming in,” he said.

Under its three plants, Unilever produces food products under brands like Knorr and Lady’s Choice in its Cavite factory, homecare and personal care products in its Manila factory, and ice cream in Pasig.

The distribution center is part of the company’s six-year P6-billion investment commitment in the country.

Originally published on www.malaya.com.ph

UNILEVER Philippines will start supplying halal products for both domestic and foreign markets, after its factory in Cavite recently received halal certification.

MANILA, Philippines –  The Philippines and Brunei have agreed to cooperate in developing their halal industry and explore ways to enhance their collaboration in the energy sector.

Bilateral cooperation on halal industry and energy were among the topics discussed by President Duterte and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during their meeting Thursday in Malacañang.

Bolkiah is in the country for a state visit that coincided with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting.

“The leaders discussed ways to strengthen and deepen bilateral trade and economic relations and reiterated commitment to explore further opportunities including greater business exchanges and cooperation,” Duterte and Bolkiah said in a joint statement.

Duterte and Bolkiah witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement on halal industry and halal products development.

The agreement provides the framework for bilateral cooperation to mutually develop each other’s halal industry and products and services through exchange of investment, products, technology and best practices. It would also allow the two countries to explore opportunities in the emerging global market for halal products and services, which has been estimated at $2 trillion.

“On the halal industry, we are interested to develop a partnership with the Philippines for investment and the production of halal products,” Bolkiah said after his meeting with Duterte.

“I am pleased that we signed agreements on cultural cooperation and cooperation in halal industry and halal products and services. These are positive steps in the right direction. They provide the framework for us to work even more closely,” Duterte said.

Halal is an Arabic word for “permissible” and usually applies to food allowed under Islamic law. The term also covers items like banking finance, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and logistics.

Duterte and Bolkiah also agreed to explore ways to boost the energy cooperation between their countries. They also expressed satisfaction with the energy cooperation between Brunei National Petroleum Co. Sendirian Bhd and Philippine National Oil Co.

“On energy, we agreed to further enhance cooperation by exploring potential downstream and upstream activities,” Bolkiah said.

The Brunei leader also expressed openness to “identify potential areas of collaboration in downstream and upstream activities for the mutual benefit of the two countries.”

The Philippines and Brunei also signed a memorandum of agreement on cultural cooperation, which seeks to promote and enhance the understanding of the two countries’ arts and culture.

Originally published on www.philstar.com

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—In order to ensure the marketability of foods that are certified as “halal” in both domestic and global market, City Mayor Sara Duterte issued Executive Order No. 12 to pave way for the creation of Davao City Halal Industry Development Council.

In a City Information Office dispatch Wednesday, the Presidential daughter said that “innovations across this value chain could be a driver for new markets and greater profits as the global halal industry is valued at trillions of dollars.”

With this, Duterte urged the national government agencies to work together and harmonize all efforts to enhance the growth of the halal industry.

By doing so, she believed that this would “help the government in coming up with a unified system for production,certification and marketing so the Philippines can maximize its huge potential in Global Halal Market.”

Duterte will serve as the chair of the Davao City Halal Industry Development Council and her co-chair is the President of the Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The council’s membership also includes officials of various city offices, the Davao City Office of Muslim Affairs for HalalShariah Concerns; the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) for Investment Concerns; and TourismCongress of the Philippines Halal Committee for Halal Tourism.

Halal foods are foods that are permitted under the Shariah (Islamic) Law. Suh law is based on the teaching of Qu’ran which does not contain any materials from animals that is not “halal” including ingredients and used of equipment that are considered as “haram” or forbidden under the Islamic law, according to the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines .

Originally published on www.davaotoday.com