Philippine representatives from the finance, tourism, and food industries are gearing up for their country’s debut at the Middle East’s largest halal exhibition, the Saudi International Halal Expo, scheduled for October 28 to 30 in Riyadh.
Led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine delegation will showcase exhibitors from various sectors, including food and beverages, supplements, tourism, travel, and finance. Under the campaign “Halal-friendly Philippines,” this initiative positions the country as a rising hub for halal markets in the Asia-Pacific region.
With a predominantly Catholic population and a 10% Muslim minority, the Philippines has been actively working to tap into the global halal market, valued at over $7 trillion. The government is targeting $4 billion in investments and the creation of 120,000 jobs by 2028, with a focus on increasing the number of halal-certified products and services.
Aleem Guiapal, a key figure in the delegation, highlighted the strength of the Filipino halal market, particularly in agricultural products like coconut oil, fruits, nutraceutical foods, and wellness items. Construction companies will also join the country’s delegation, demonstrating the diverse range of offerings the Philippines brings to the global halal market.
As part of its efforts to revive the tourism sector post-pandemic, the Philippines has expanded its halal tourism portfolio, creating more halal-friendly accommodations to attract Muslim travelers. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is also part of the delegation, aiming to attract Islamic banks to establish operations in the country, with BSP officer Winnie Claire Jamoner-Carbonel emphasizing the opportunities for Islamic banking in the Philippines.
