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Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Muslim traders seek Mindanao dev't as halal center
By Stephen Capillas
A MAJORITY of Muslim traders are seeking the establishment of a halal industry in Mindanao in order to join the growing global market for halal foods.
Mindanao Business Council trustee and Muslim Business Forum Inc. chairman Guilalil Kanda said developing a halal industry for Mindanao is in keeping with its status as a key player in the BIMP-Eaga halal market, where 66 percent of the 40 million people are Muslims.
He said more than 80 percent of Muslim Filipinos are located in Mindanao or 25 percent of the total population of that island province.
Aside from this, Mindanao has excellent communications facilities, seaports, industrial parks in its key growth areas.
"Mindanao is typhoon and FMD (foot and mouth disease) free and is the top producer of tuna and seaweeds, (the latter of which is placed) at 70 percent," he told participants of the 12th Mindanao Business Conference held last week here in Cagayan de Oro City.
Kanda said the envisioned halal industry will be predominantly agriculture based to complement Mindanao's comparative advantage in agricultural production, which accounts for more than 37 percent of its Gross Regional Development Project (GRDP).
He said the halal industry in Mindanao would cover both food and non-food manufacturing and production for the domestic and international markets.
Kanda said making Mindanao the halal production base would further efforts in developing its economy in general and the welfare of Muslim communities in particular.
"Such a move will rapidly encourage investments in the island and bolster Mindanao's export status in the BIMP-Eaga and thus usher in tremendous economic opportunities to the country's economy," the MBF chairman said.
Kanda said the halal industry would generate more employment, skills and livelihood trainings for Muslim residents and draw in the involvement of Muslim small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
He said while halal is primarily a religious affair, a reciprocal agreement can be developed whereby the industry can optimize the Muslims's expertise and knowledge on halal standards as well as product identification and development.
"This would also give Muslim communities in Mindanao and the BIMP-Eaga access to halal products outside their present sources and suppliers," Kanda said.
(November 4, 2003 issue)
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