The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Region 12 will hold the World Halal Assembly in Manila on January 18 and 19 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel.
The international conference will serve as an avenue for experts, entrepreneurs, academe, the government and consumers to discuss views on the halal industry.
DOST 12 has prepared several plenary sessions for the two-day event, and has invited international speakers. Among the topics to be tackled are the halal technical regulations, the scientific implications on halal, small, medium enterprises development through halal science and technology and the eco-halal, among others.
Islamic scholars, Muslim academicians and scientists, international certification bodies, government officials, entrepreneurs, Muslim and non-Muslim consumers are expected to attend the conference. There will also be workshops on halal branding, halal standards, as well as Islamic banking and finance.
In June 2015 the agency has unveiled the DOST 12 halal logo, which has signified the Philippines’s readiness to enter the global halal market.
During the Halal Assembly in 2015, the DOST talked about the importance of this logo, which followed the Standards Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC)—a mechanism for harmonization of standards among the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation countries.
DOST 12 said its Seal of Quality or halal logo is internationally recognized. The seal “removes technical barriers in trading and export” and added value to the product since halal was obligatory for the Muslims.
The agency added those who availed themselve of the Seal of Quality were also provided with a better understanding of the halal market, international regulations on Halal products, and updates on the industry and innovative strategies to attain success in Halal business.
DOST 12 Director Hadja Sittie Shayma Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan said that, although the Philippines is a non-Muslim country, it has very rich natural resources for halal products.
She added that in protecting, preserving, developing and promoting halal, the agency strengthened its efforts to ensure that science, technology and innovation could serve as the backbone for the halal industry, with halal integrity at the core.
