To showcase Halal products and educate the public on their importance, in the Philippine economic and culture, the Department of Agriculture – Halal Food Industry Development Program (DA-HFIDP) staged a three-day Halal Trade Fair and Exhibit in SMX Lanang, Davao City on November 23-25.

The event, themed “Investing and Nurturing the Philippine Halal Industry” seeks to 1) Provide a venue to strengthen the advocacy campaign of DA Halal Program; 2) Enhance agricultural and fisheries farmers access to Halal Education, Policy standards requirement, safety and services; 3) Promote the production of Halal agriculture and fishery industries, manufacturing herbal products and services; 4) Develop matching mechanism for Halal farmers, producers, manufacturers, retailers, and traders to local and international markets; 5) Create a massive constituency for Halal agricultural and fisheries farming, tourism, and financing business support and 6) Organize a trade fair to showcase various indigenous and tribal products, artifacts, handicrafts and other cultural arts.

According to Undersecretary for Special Concerns Atty. Ranibai Dilangalen, “Halal is an untapped market with potential earnings of USD2.3 Trillion. It is a very promising sector which will boost local income and generate employment activities.”

“This trade fair is just one of the banner programs that the DA is pursuing in order to uplift the Halal industry in the country,” she added.

Stakeholders and key players of the Halal industry attended the trade fair, where lecture sessions, business matching and mentoring were conducted. Products were also put on display.

Pursuant to Republic Act 10817 also known as Philippine Halal Export Development, the DA-HFIDP has launched a massive orientation and advocacy campaign for Halal products, both food and non-food. ### (Carlos Cezar Baldosa/DA-AFID)