The Philippines has achieved a milestone at the Saudi Halal Expo, generating over $100 million in revenue through its “Halal-Friendly Philippines” campaign. This achievement underscores the country’s growing international reputation as a trusted provider of Halal-certified products and services.
“This success reflects the Philippines’ strategic vision under ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ to establish a strong and sustainable halal ecosystem that meets global demand. It is also a testament to the collective efforts of our industries and the government to drive business growth, attract international investments, and create meaningful job opportunities for Filipinos and the global halal community,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque in a news release.
Key sectors played a pivotal role in contributing to this significant revenue growth. The pre-cooked ready-to-eat food segment secured deals worth $15 million while the seafood and fish supply sector recorded $35 million in sales—reaching over 200 supermarkets and restaurants in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, a dedicated halal-compliant logistics service was arranged under a one-year estimated contract worth $5 million. The halal-dedicated information technology solutions sector also finalized $38 million in deals to improve marketing, boost promotions, and streamline halal certification processes.
Completing the halal value chain, human resource services also contributed by securing contracts to generate at least 100 jobs annually. In addition, two agencies in the delegation achieved combined deals valued at $4.4 million, demonstrating the strong demand for skilled manpower to support the expansion of the Halal industry.
The DTI-Halal Development and Trade Office led the 64-member delegation from the Philippines comprised of 12 Filipino companies, showcasing a wide range of halal-certified products in the expo. This delegation included representatives from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Halal Export Board, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Moreover, under the leadership of Secretary Roque, the DTI ensured the mission’s achievements by working closely with key partners such as the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.
The mission was further strengthened by the support of various government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, BARMM, the Department of Budget and Management, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Philippine Halal Export Board.
