Philippines: DOST leads World Halal Assembly PH

Science & Technology Secretary Fortunato T. Dela Peña receives a plaque of appreciation from DOST SOCSARGEN Regional Director, Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, also chair of WHAP. Sec Dela Peña keynotes the World Halal Assembly held January 18-19 at the Sfitel Philippine Plaza Manila. (Photo by Nelson Ortiz/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently led the World Halal Assembly Philippines (WHAP) to develop and create vast opportunities and programs for Halal industry.

Organized by its regional office in SOCSARGEN through the Halal Science & Technology Program and held 18-19 January 2018 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

With the theme “Developing Halal Premium Brand thru Science, Technology and Innovation (STI),” the WHAP gathered local and international Halal experts, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, partners in the academe, and government and non-government bodies to discuss and address on-point issues and challenges facing the global Halal Market.

The assembly was also conducted to build-up synergies and networks, and create tangible solutions to develop sustainable premium Halal products that are globally competitive as the Halal Industry is booming with increasing global market worth value of USD 3 Trillion.

WHAP included an international Halal conference that was held with various plenary sessions with the following topics: (a) Halal: A Way of Life, (b) The Global Halal Market Today and Opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development thru STI, (c) Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)/Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC) Unified Global Halal Standards: Technical Regulations and Scientific Implications, (d) Islamic Banking and Halal Financing, (e) Halal Certification Bodies’ Meeting; A panel discussion on Solutions and the Way Forward for Philippine Halal Industry; and a special workshop on Islamic Microfinance and Banking.

His Eminence Mufti Mustafa Ceric, President of the Senate, Bosniak Academy of Science & Arts, Bosnia delivers his message during the World Halal Assembly PH. (Photo by Nelson Ortiz/PIA-NCR)

According to the DOST, the WHAP aims to strengthen international partnerships and linkages for Global Halal Market and create a platform for experts, traders and government for discussion, and form business alliances thru Science and Technology (S&T).

DOST stressed that the ‘One Standard, One Test, One Certificate’ thrust of DOST XII in developing Halal Premium Brand is a breakthrough solution to address issues of uncertainties and bias to certified Halal Products thru S&T.

DOST XII Regional Director Dr. Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan, also WHAP chair, acknowledged the importance of genuine branding of Halal products to tap the lucrative Halal Market in the global scene. She added that the branding itself will require a competent certification process thru scientific and innovative approach, and fully establish the Halalness of the products by adopting a Unified Global Halal Standard.

In protecting and preserving, developing and promoting the very essence of Halal, we strengthen efforts and ensure that Science, Technology and Innovation can always serve up its crucial purpose – as backbone for Halal industry with Halal Integrity at the core. (DOST/EPC/MAPA/PIA-NCR)