Philippines, Japan Share Experiences In Their Respective Halal Initiatives

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