The Philippines is gearing up to send a halal trade mission to Saudi Arabia later this month, aiming to strengthen trade relations with the Kingdom.
In a report on Arab News, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is organizing the mission, which will take place in Riyadh and Jeddah from October 27 to November 5.
Philippine officials are focused on expanding the country’s halal industry while enhancing trade ties with Saudi Arabia.
“This mission aims to effectively promote the growing Philippine halal trade industry and further strengthen relations between the two nations,” Rommel Romato, charge d’affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, told Arab News.
The delegation will include representatives from government agencies, the private sector, and attendees of the Saudi International Halal Expo 2024.
Tourism and agriculture officials, as well as members of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, will also be part of the mission.
Muslims make up around 10 percent of the Philippines’ nearly 120 million population. The country plans to double its halal-certified products and services, generate P230 billion ($4 billion) in investments, and create around 120,000 jobs by 2028 to tap into the global halal market, valued at more than $7 trillion.
Earlier this year, the DTI sent a business-matching mission to Saudi Arabia, focusing on food, beverage, and personal care exports.
Philippine-Saudi trade volume saw an increase from 2022 to 2023, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Riyadh last October, where a $4.26 billion investment agreement was signed with Saudi business leaders.
