KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 12 confirmed today that Regional Director Dr. Zenaida HR Laidan has brought the Philippines Halal initiatives to the attention of Halal industry stakeholders in Japan.
According to a report from DOST 12, Director Laidan was among the speakers at the Japan Halal Summit and Technical Workshop last August 4-6 at the TKP Garden City, Shinagawa, and Tokyo, Japan.
Dr. Laidan was invited by the Halal Development Foundation of Japan, Inc. (HDFJ) to speak on “Issues and Concerns on Halal Certification.”
Laidan is the lead in the conceptualization and implementation of the DOST’s Philippine Science and Technology Program for the Development of the Halal Industry, and the prime mover of Halal Science in the country.
The lady director said her presentation was very timely as the Japanese people are very much interested in the “Halal” concept, benefits of halal certification, and in obtaining halal certification in order to seek entry into Muslim markets, while a growing number of tourists from Muslim nations are expected to offer good business opportunities to Japanese firms.
“Halal compliance is the first rule of the game,” Laidan told the participants, as quoted by the DOST 12 report.
“Thus, for the majority non-Muslim countries like the Philippines and Japan, there is a need to adopt and implement more stringent standards on Halal thru the application of science, technology and innovation particularly laboratory testing and Halal certification to ensure a respectable and reliable premium Halal brand and to tap and commercially exploit the lucrative Halal market.”
Anchored on the themed “Global Halal Trade-Opportunities for Japan”, the summit was highlighted with inaugural addresses by the member-countries from recognized Halal International Organizations.
There were also plenary sessions on Halal tourism & hospitality including Halal medical tourism, global Halal market and benefits of Halal certification, Halal meat & poultry-Halal food ingredients, and Islamic finance.
The event was the first large gathering of organizations from about 20 Muslim countries—including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan—as well as about 80 Japanese companies, ministries, agencies and other organizations.
During the summit, the DOST 12 through Dr. Laidan, forged two collaborative undertakings with the Halal Development Council (HDC) of Japan and HDFJ .
The HDC was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Asad Sajjad, and HDFJ by its General Secretary Mohammad Zubair.
The partnership agreement between DOST 12 and HDC spells out commitment on the promotion of cooperation and partnership on Halal related issues such as training and human resource development, Halal science and technology, Halal standards and Halal research.
On the other hand, the memorandum of understanding with HDFJ spells out collaboration in promoting Halal in Japan.
With these linkages, the report noted, Laidan has remarkably established the Philippine Halal Industry, particularly, the DOST 12’s comprehensive Halal program, entitled: Philippine Science and Technology Program for the Development of the Halal Industry to be recognized internationally.
In March this year, Laidan led a 14-person team composed of DOST officials and DOST-ARMM representatives to a study mission on strengthening the Philippine Halal industry in Malaysia.
She was also a speaker at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC-SMIIC): World Halal Assembly held in Islamabad, Pakistan on June 3-4 where she spoke on “Asian Advantage on Halal: Philippine Perspective”. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from DOST 12)
Originally published on news.pia.gov.ph
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