The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Halal Development Office has paid tribute to the efforts of former Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual in boosting the country’s Halal industrt.
“Thank you Department Of Trade And Industry Secretary Fred Pascual and President Bongbong Marcos for making Halal a priority in your administration,” said Director and Program Manager Aleem Siddiqui M. Guiapal.
Guiapal noted that it was during the time of Pascual when the DTI Halal Industry Development Office was created.
During Pascual’s term, the gap in the $7.7 trillion Halal industry was addressed through four key initiatives.
First, the Halal Investment Promotion, Halal Trade and Industry Development (Support to MSMEs Halal Certification, trade facilitation, market access, capacity building, halal awareness), Halal Integrity (recognition of the HCBs, support through MoUs Halal mutual recognition, safeguard of standards) and (4) capacity building.
In 2023, the DTI Halal Task Force was launched, working with local, national and international stakeholders to promote Halal Friendly Philippines.
The task force adopted a customer centric, whole of ecosystem approach and globally competitive strategy to increase domestic consumption, trade sales, and FDIs.
“Maraming salamat po Secretary for the opportunity to be working with you and as we welcome our new leadership with Secretary Cris Aldeguer Roque we look forward for the sustainability of this initiative especially support to the MSMEs in the Halal sector,” said Guiapal.
