Huge potential seen in exporting halal products

THE head of the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP) sees a big, untapped potential in exporting halal products.

In an interview organized by The Manila Times on Friday, IDCP President Abdul Rahman Linzag also debunked the misconception that halal products are exclusively for Muslims.

Linzag said it is this wrong notion that is preventing non-Muslims from purchasing halal-certified products in the Philippines.

“Let us take into consideration that most Muslim countries, especially Arab countries that became rich countries immediately, rely on imports,” Linzag said.

The country has long had a halal industry, but it has never prospered because of the misconception that its products are limited to the Muslim community.

The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante “Klink” Ang 2nd, who hosted the interview, said clearing the misconception could boost tourism, since visitors from Muslim countries might consider trying out local restaurants offering halal food.

The International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group (Imarc) said the global halal food market reached $2,221.3 billion in 2022 and could hit $4,177.3 billion in 2028.

Given that the halal food market is huge, Linzag said the government should consider producing more halal products for export.

Linzag said one of the challenges in promoting halal products in the Philippines is that there are other certifying bodies that are competing with the IDCP.

He said his group has acquired accreditation from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB).

IDCP also registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in January 1982 and started to include halal verification and accreditation on food and nonfood products in 1987.

“We started with one company. We didn’t actually campaign. They just come to us,” Linzag said, referring to the companies who wanted to be certified by IDCP.

Halal certification is voluntary and the IDCP cannot compel businesses to be certified.

Linzag said 1,500 companies across the Philippines are already certified by IDCP.

Halal is Arabic for “lawful and permitted.” Under Islamic law and beliefs, food for consumption by Muslims must go through the halal process.

“Halal was also mentioned in those revelations that believers should only take what is legal in the eyes of God and allowed by God,” Linzag said.

But more than a religious requirement, halal is something that is good for everyone, since halal food is processed humanely and cleanly, he said.

Linzag said he is looking forward to holding seminars to educate and inform companies about halal.