IF THERE is one industry that Mindanao can benefit from and be good at aside from agriculture, that would be the halal industry.
Halal is an Arabic word meaning permissible or lawful in traditional Islamic law. While it is mainly used on food and drinks, the label is also being used on cosmetics, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals, among others.
According to Statistica, an online statistics website, the halal product market is expected to grow to over $58.3 billion by 2022.
Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman said the Philippines only contributes 5 percent of the global halal trade.
With a sizeable Muslim population, Muslim business men and even the non-Muslim entrepreneurs can tap into this massive global market.
In Davao City, the Muslim business community are pushing and promoting for the development of the Halal industry here.
As of 2018, the city has now more than 10 halal establishments certified by the Department of Trade and Industry-Philippine Accreditation Board (DTI-PAB) under Republic Act (RA) 10817, while 30 more are still applying for accreditation.
However, for the halal industry in Davao City to be fully realized and developed, it needs support in terms of policies.
Marilou Ampuan, president of the Universal Islamic Center, said there is a move now to harmonize the existing halal ordinances in the city with that of the Davao City Halal Industry Development Council.
This is aimed at creating an ordinance that will encompass all the identified areas which needs to be included and implemented for a more developed, organized and directed Halal ordinance and council, she said.
With proper policies, the halal industry in Davao City can be developed and be a leader in this industry in the country.