There is more to halal than just food.
“Halal is not only for Muslims; I think, it is a tool towards peace and development”, Department of Science and Technology Regional Director Anthony C. Sales stressed during a media briefing on Wednesday, May 1, at the TinHat Boutique and Restaurant.
Sales’ statement came on the eve of the opening of the Philippine Halal Tourism Expo 2019 which rolled out beginning Thursday until May 5, 2019 at the Abreeza Ayala Mall, The expo focuses on Halal Science and Technology on the local and international market.
This year’s expo is the fourth, since 2015, with Halal Trade and Tourism: Healthy Life: Awareness and Sustainability of Economic Growth as its theme.
The 3-day expo, according to Universal Islamic Center Foundation (UICF) President and Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) trustee Marilou Ampuan, aims to gather more domestic and international buyers and sellers to encourage businesses and entrepreneurs to introduce Muslim-friendly products, services and establishments in the city.
With the upsurge of Muslim visitors and investors in the city, Ampuan sees this as a challenge in furthering the city’s halal industry promotion.
Davao City is acknowledged by the Department of Tourism as a halal/Muslim friendly destination in the country.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI Regional Director Ma. Belena Q. Ambi, who was also present during the media briefing, said that their agency is looking into the development and promotion of locally made halal products and services for exportation. “We encourage the promotion and branding of our msme’s to acquire Halal certification and accreditation to showcase in the international market”, Ambi shared.
Also present during the briefing was Department of Agriculture (DA) XI Enterprise Development Section Chief Agnes Cecilia S. Roble, who represented DA Usec for Special Concern Waldo R. Carpio, who emphasized the importance of proper information dissemination, in so far as what is considered halal (permissible) and non-permissible products, are concerned. Roble gave a brief summary on food production, livestock growing and promotional standards in the international market.
DOST XI, for their part, strengthened its support on the city’s halal industry. “As of today, we already have four Halal verification laboratories all over the country. We have one located at the DOST XI regional office.”
Through this, according to RD Sales, the agency is able to provide testing services for halal assurance. “To be certified, one should be assured”, he added.
“A product or service cannot be officially declared Halal if there is no Sharia aspect,” stressed Ampuan.
The expo’s activities included an extensive Halal conference (2 May 2019, Seda Hotel) and a 3-day exhibit at the Abreeza Ayala Mall (3-5 May 2019), signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Halal Tourism and Trade Expo (PHTTE), Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan (Ministry of Entrepreneur Development) and HM Mega Holding SDN BHD (Malaysia).
There will also be a presentation of halal delicacies of the six (6) Muslim tribes, showcase of Regional halal programs, Indonesian Consulate Halal Trade & Tourism program and in-depth understanding on Islamic banking will also be highlighted.
