The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) aims to capitalize on significant investment opportunities within the Halal industry in the Philippines, maximizing its potential within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.
During the Business Matters forum on August 9, Joji Ilagan-Bian, PCCI BIMP-EAGA chairperson, noted that the business landscape in the country currently has a ‘limited’ understanding of Halal.
“The Halal industry has been around for a while. There have been numerous conferences and talks on Halal. The problem is, we really need to trickle down this understanding to the private sector, especially to the businessmen. Their understanding of Halal is very limited. They need to understand that we are selling Halal as a lifestyle or part of our lives,” Bian said.
Bian shared that by holding the first PCCI BIMP-EAGA Halal and Investment forum, they aim to further foster economic collaborations and investment opportunities in the Halal industry, as well as position Mindanao as the net supplier in the country.
“This is the first initiative that PCCI, under the chamber of commerce, is doing, pulling all our resources together and focusing mainly on Halal. So this is the first step, and there are many more steps that we will take, both on regional consultation and making our businessmen understand what Halal is and its principles,” she said.
She explained that through the Halal industry, goods, products, tourism, and accommodations will have to pass through Mindanao, making it a gateway and the beneficiary of the business process.
“This potential of Mindanao has not been capitalized on, but more importantly, if we don’t have the volume, we are also bringing in Luzon and Visayas. Whatever we do, BIMP is for the entire country. But in the end, Mindanao will always be the gateway. Everything that goes out or happens there needs to pass through Mindanao. Therefore, we will have increased cargo, investors, transport, and all others, and this is what we need,” she said.
She highlighted that capitalizing on such a huge investment opportunity for Halal is a ‘bright spark’ not just for Mindanao but also for the Philippines.
“This will make Mindanao the end beneficiary, because everything has to pass through our ports and our airports. Tourists who want to go to Manado or Sabah need to pass through us. That’s why we are including the Philippines, and when we have discussions with them, they have expressed extreme interest in the BIMP markets,” she added.
The 1st PCCI BIMP-EAGA Halal and Investment Forum, in partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., will be held on August 20 at the Manila Hotel. The one-day conference aims to discuss the Philippines’ potential in promoting export development and unlocking new investment avenues around the BIMP-EAGA.
Photo: Bing Gonzales
