RP hikes number of halal coordinators to promote industry

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines recently enhanced capabilities and increased the numbers of its halal coordinators, or personnel tasked to ensure that food items comply with Islamic dietary requirements. The move is part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) efforts to promote the country’s halal industry, a sector that is worth $580 billion globally. Recently, the trade department provided training for its regional and head office personnel in Zamboanga City, intended to equip them with knowledge and skills to handle halal coordination activities in their various offices. A total of 33 participants from DTI’s offices in CARAGA, Region 4, Region 4-A, Region 6, Region 9, Region 10, Region 11, Region 12, National Capital Region, Cordillera Autonomous Region, the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion, the Philippine Trade Training Center, the Bureau of Product Standards, the Bureau of Domestic Trade, the Bureau of Micro, Small, Medium, Enterprise Development, and the Office of Legal Affairs attended the recently-held training. Besides being assigned to act as point persons regarding the matter, halal coordinators include facilitating halal seminars in their areas, linking food companies with halal certifiers, and providing halal-related consultations. The halal coordinator is also expected to understand the Philippine National Standard (PNS) 2067:2008, which provides general guidelines for the Philippine food industry on the preparation and handling of Halal food, including food supplements and serves as a fundamental requirement for food products and food trade in the Philippines. This standard should be used together with acceptable food safety systems such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (Haccp), and Good Manufacturing Practice. Immediately after the PNS was introduced, the DTI launched a halal advocacy program. Besides addressing the growing demand for information about halal, the advocacy program also aims to encourage investment in halal food production in the Philippines. An estimated 212 million Muslim consumers are in Indonesia, followed by 158 million in Pakistan, 127 million in Bangladesh, 69 million in Egypt, 67 million in Iran, 66 million in Turkey, and 64 million in Nigeria. Countries that have sizable Muslim populations include India with 174 million, China with 38 million, Russia with 11 million, USA with 7 million, the Philippines with 5 million, and Thailand with 4.5 million. - GMANews.TV