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Ailyn Agonia
DOHA
WITH the aggressive campaign and recent developments in the Philippine halal industry, Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman, head of the Trade Promotions Group of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has underlined the eagerness of his country to increase the presence of Filipino halal products in the Qatari market.
Speaking to the local media on the sidelines of the Philippines-Qatar Business Matchmaking Session held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Sunday, the official said that beside the captured market of more than 241,000 Filipino workers in Qatar, the Philippine government is targeting a stronger position for its halal products among locals and other expat communities in the country as well.
He added that while one Philippine halal certifying body has already got Qatar government’s recognition, they are working towards having the remaining eight Philippine halal certifying bodies recognised here.
“We see an increasing trend in the popularity of Philippine products. More and more SMEs in the Philippines are gaining interest in making their products halal certified to be able to explore the GCC market. With the launch of the Philippines halal certification scheme last year, we intend to further develop the Philippine halal industry and target the mainstream global halal market”, said Macatoman.
He added that they are also looking for prospective investors from Qatar to establish halal hub facilities in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao region.
According to the official, the Philippines export to Qatar is at $55million as of November, 2019, and the number one export from the Philippines to Qatar is processed and fresh food. Machinery, construction materials and electronics from the Philippines also have significant presence in the local market.
Macatoman said, “Our next project is to bring more personal care and furniture from the Philippines to Qatar. We will hold another outbound business matching in Doha this time introducing beauty and personal care products, as well as giving opportunity for the Philippine furniture companies to take advantage of the ongoing developments for the FIFA World Cup 2022. We hope to have Philippine made furniture in newly-constructed buildings and hotels across Qatar. Our furniture industry has a potential and we believe we still have time to be part of the developments leading to the World Cup.”
On the Philippine trade agency’s plans in the pipeline to attract more Qatari Foreign Direct Investment in their country, the official said they are working towards encouraging prospective Qatari investors to venture into the Islamic banking system in the Philippines in view of the signing into law of the Islamic Banking Act (Republic Act no. 11439) last year.
He said, “It is part of our campaign to encourage prospective Qatari investors to take a look at the possibility of venturing into Islamic banking system in the Philippines. We already have initial discussions with some banks and two banks in Qatar have already shown interest.”
He added that they also aim to invite Islamic sharia compliant pawnshops in the Philippines.
About 11 Philippine business companies mainly in the food and beverages industry took part in the business matchmaking session.
On the occasion, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Alan Timbayan said the big Filipino community in Qatar represents a lucrative opportunity for Philippine food and beverage products in the country, adding that the Philippine food sector is now better equipped to supply to Qatar’s market.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Investment Promotions Partner for the Middle East Joseph Rivera said, “All of us PEZA investment promotions partners based in Qatar are aggressively working hand in hand with Philippine Commercial Attache Charmaine Yalung and the Philippine Embassy Doha to ensure that we effectively promote Philippine business opportunities in the region.”
DOHA
WITH the aggressive campaign and recent developments in the Philippine halal industry, Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman, head of the Trade Promotions Group of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has underlined the eagerness of his country to increase the presence of Filipino halal products in the Qatari market.
Speaking to the local media on the sidelines of the Philippines-Qatar Business Matchmaking Session held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Sunday, the official said that beside the captured market of more than 241,000 Filipino workers in Qatar, the Philippine government is targeting a stronger position for its halal products among locals and other expat communities in the country as well.
He added that while one Philippine halal certifying body has already got Qatar government’s recognition, they are working towards having the remaining eight Philippine halal certifying bodies recognised here.
“We see an increasing trend in the popularity of Philippine products. More and more SMEs in the Philippines are gaining interest in making their products halal certified to be able to explore the GCC market. With the launch of the Philippines halal certification scheme last year, we intend to further develop the Philippine halal industry and target the mainstream global halal market”, said Macatoman.
He added that they are also looking for prospective investors from Qatar to establish halal hub facilities in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao region.
According to the official, the Philippines export to Qatar is at $55million as of November, 2019, and the number one export from the Philippines to Qatar is processed and fresh food. Machinery, construction materials and electronics from the Philippines also have significant presence in the local market.
Macatoman said, “Our next project is to bring more personal care and furniture from the Philippines to Qatar. We will hold another outbound business matching in Doha this time introducing beauty and personal care products, as well as giving opportunity for the Philippine furniture companies to take advantage of the ongoing developments for the FIFA World Cup 2022. We hope to have Philippine made furniture in newly-constructed buildings and hotels across Qatar. Our furniture industry has a potential and we believe we still have time to be part of the developments leading to the World Cup.”
On the Philippine trade agency’s plans in the pipeline to attract more Qatari Foreign Direct Investment in their country, the official said they are working towards encouraging prospective Qatari investors to venture into the Islamic banking system in the Philippines in view of the signing into law of the Islamic Banking Act (Republic Act no. 11439) last year.
He said, “It is part of our campaign to encourage prospective Qatari investors to take a look at the possibility of venturing into Islamic banking system in the Philippines. We already have initial discussions with some banks and two banks in Qatar have already shown interest.”
He added that they also aim to invite Islamic sharia compliant pawnshops in the Philippines.
About 11 Philippine business companies mainly in the food and beverages industry took part in the business matchmaking session.
On the occasion, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Alan Timbayan said the big Filipino community in Qatar represents a lucrative opportunity for Philippine food and beverage products in the country, adding that the Philippine food sector is now better equipped to supply to Qatar’s market.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Investment Promotions Partner for the Middle East Joseph Rivera said, “All of us PEZA investment promotions partners based in Qatar are aggressively working hand in hand with Philippine Commercial Attache Charmaine Yalung and the Philippine Embassy Doha to ensure that we effectively promote Philippine business opportunities in the region.”
