By Rosa Katrina Banzon / Philippine Trade and Investment Center – Kuala Lumpur
AFTER years of absence at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas), the Philippines is back and bigger than ever. From April 5 to 8, 30 companies from the Philippines will be showcasing their halal-certified products at the Philippine Pavilion.
The business delegation include 27 companies from the food sector and three from the nonfood group. Both the product selection and the companies represented are varied: They come from food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care and processed meats and snacks to United States Department of Agriculture Organic-certified coconut-based products, and from San Miguel Corp. to small and medium enterprises. To date, this will be the Philippines’s biggest participation in Mihas.
Senen M. Perlada, director of the Export Marketing Bureau, has been quoted as saying, “This will be the coming out party of the Philippine halal industry.”
Recent developments are supportive of the whole halal ecosystem, most especially the passing into law of Republic Act 10817, the “Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016”.
Another significant development is the groundbreaking of the 100 hectares Zamboanga Ecozone Halal Hub (Asian Halal Centre) in October last year, which is envisioned as “an integrated development initiative to make the site a showcase piece for the latest halal-classified products and processes as facilitated by a community of halal-oriented business enterprises, and where these enterprises are provided with the needed infrastructure and service support” (ZFA, 2016). These, plus more developments and opportunities in the Philippine halal industry will be presented at 4 p.m. on April 5, during Mihas 2017 at the Industry Zone by Undersecretary Ranibai Dilangalen of the Department of Agriculture. The undersecretary, likewise, sits as a member of the Philippine Halal Board.
The Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Kuala Lumpur has expressed confidence in the success of the Philippines’s participation, especially with the keen interest shown by businessmen in Malaysia to visit the Philippine Pavilion and meet the companies.
Businesses and business organizations, culinary schools, hotels, food manufacturers and wholesalers alike are all excited to see what the Philippines can offer in terms of halal. Unique products with perfect value proposition for the halal market are what we are looking for. We believe we have found it in Fisherfarms Inc. Fisherfarms is the pioneering and leading aquaculture food processor and largest supplier of farm-raised seafood in the Philippines. Its standout products include fish sausages and nuggets—perfect for the halal and health-conscious market.
Currently, it can be found in supermarkets and groceries, fast-food chains, restaurants and hotels in the US, Canada, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. Very soon, Malaysian consumers will be able to enjoy Fisherfarms products.
Mihas is the “world’s largest halal event. Set against the backdrop of the world’s No. 1 halal economy, it offers an unbeatable networking and business proposition” for halal exhibitors and buyers alike.
Statistics showed that in 2016, “Mihas welcomed over 22,000 trade visitors from more than 70 countries and generated record sales beyond RM1 billion for 600 exhibitors.” Mihas is hosted by MITI, organized by MATRADE, and in association with HDC and JAKIM.
On behalf of the Philippine official and business delegation to Mihas, we invite everyone to visit the Philippine Pavilion at Mihas 2017.