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The Department of Trade and Industry has established the National Halal Industry and Trade Office, aimed at putting the Philippines at the forefront of the global halal industry by 2025
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The move aligns with the country’s goal to boost the domestic halal market and expand the export potential of Filipino products and services
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The NHIDO will act as the central coordinating body for all halal development efforts to streamline initiatives and foster collaboration
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One of the NHIDO’s key priorities is to simplify halal certification and standards, ensuring easier access for medium, small, and micro enterprises
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has established the National Halal Industry and Trade Office (NHIDO), aimed at putting the Philippines at the forefront of the global halal industry by 2025.
The move aligns with the country’s goal to boost the domestic halal market and expand the export potential of Filipino products and services, DTI said in a statement.
“The establishment of NHIDO marks a turning point for the Philippine Halal industry,” said DTI-Halal Industry and Trade Office program manager Dimnatang M. Radia.
“It will serve as a unifying force to transform our goals into reality, unlocking opportunities for businesses, creating jobs, and elevating the Philippines as a Halal-friendly destination globally,” Radia added.
The NHIDO will act as the central coordinating body for all halal development efforts to streamline initiatives and foster collaboration. DTI noted that by encouraging and integrating stakeholders’ participation, the office aims to create a unified and robust halal industry.
One of the NHIDO’s key priorities is to simplify halal certification and standards, ensuring easier access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
This initiative will be supported by expanded capacity-building programs that offer specialized training, equipping MSMEs and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the halal sector.
In addition, the new office will lead the nationwide launch of the “Halal-Friendly Philippines” campaign, designed to stimulate market growth by raising awareness and tapping into the economic potential of halal products, extending their appeal beyond the Muslim community.
To achieve this, public awareness programs will be rolled out across various media platforms and through community outreach. These programs will emphasize the broader halal landscape, correct misconceptions, and promote inclusivity.
Moreover, the NHIDO will formalize partnerships with local government units and relevant agencies to improve governance and cultivate halal-compliant infrastructure, including slaughterhouses and cold storage facilities. This initiative will also involve regional integration efforts to enhance supply chains across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, creating the foundation for efficient halal trade hubs.
To guarantee data-driven planning and program responsiveness, the NHIDO will form a comprehensive Halal product database and implement monitoring and evaluation systems. Lastly, the NHIDO will manage all necessary administrative and financial operations, resource allocation, and personnel hiring to sustain its long-term objectives.
Last January, DTI launched a four-year halal industry development plan that aims to tap into the economic potential of the halal industry that is poised to double domestic and international output by 2028.
READ: DTI launches 4-year plan to push Halal industry growth
The National Commission for Muslim Filipinos estimated the Muslim population in the Philippines at 10%, or 12 million, boasting the third-largest Muslim population in Southeast Asia. DTI earlier noted that with more Muslims than in Thailand and Singapore and with a population annual growth of 3%, the
consumption of Filipino Muslims is a sustainable market.
It added that the Philippines is becoming a popular destination for travelers from Islamic countries. In 2023, visitor arrivals from Islamic or Muslim-populated countries reached almost half a million, comprising 9% of the total 5.4 million arrivals.
The Philippines’ Halal exports to Islamic Countries have also been steadily growing, particularly in Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Iran, Qatar and Kuwait.
In 2021, the top Philippine exports to leading Halal markets were fresh bananas ($45 million), pineapple products ($25 million), beauty and cosmetics ($7.3 million), carrageenan ($2.9 million), medicaments ($2 million), crude coconut oil ($942,000), dried mangoes ($97,000), and calamansi ($34,000).
