Philippines wants halal trade industry development with Brunei to push through

The Philippines is keen to collaborate with Brunei in developing the halal trade industries of both nations which may include adopting the sultanate’s best practices in halal certification while offering its own expertise in halal economic zone management, said its vice minister of trade and industry.

Abdulgani Macatoman, who is in the country for a joint committee meeting between Brunei and the Philippines said he was following through on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed by both nations last year to further collaborations in the industry.
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“Besides from getting technical cooperation in the halal trade with Brunei, we are also looking to learn other best practices Brunei had adopted, particularly in its halal certification system,” he told the media on the sidelines of the ongoing Brunei Halal Showcase.

“Other than that, we are looking at more opportunities to invest in the sultanate; we know Brunei had limited number of lands available but we would like to offer our expertise in setting up and running a halal economic zone should Brunei require it,” he added.

Abdulgani said the Philippines already has an established halal trade zone in the southernmost part of the nation, which gives it confidence to be part of the US$3.2 trillion global halal market.

Trade relations between Brunei and Philippines is still currently “small”, Abdulgani said, but the Philippines is looking to play a significant role in developing the halal trade industry in Brunei as part of the MoU.

He hoped ongoing discussions on the matter can be finalised and agreed upon at the conclusion of the meeting.

The vice minister is also in the country as the head of the delegation to promote Philippines’ halal food products at the Brunei Halal Showcase currently taking place at the International Convention Centre (ICC).

​Source: The Bruneian, August 9, 2018