By Kris M. Crismundo
MANILA, Sept 6 (PNA) — As majority of the Malaysian population is Islam, Philippine exporters urged to take opportunity of the Halal market in the said country.
In a document shared by the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport), Malaysian Trade Commissioner Har Man Ahmad said there is a big opportunity for Filipino exporters to tap the Halal market in Malaysia both in food and non-food products.
More than 60 percent of the Malaysian population are Muslims and are consumers of Halal-certified products.
Ahmad, on the other hand, clarified that the Halal market is not only in the context of religion but the safety and cleanliness of products.
Hence, applying for Halal certification for products and services is needed not only to benefit in the Halal market of Malaysia but alsoglobally.
It was estimated that the global Halal market was pegged at USD 2.3 trillion excluding Islamic banking. Sixty-seven percent were shared by food and beverages products; pharmaceutical at 22 percent; and personal care and cosmetics at 10 percent.
This lucrative market is pushed by demands from the 1.83 billion Muslim population in 2009 with an average growth rate at 1.8 percent per annum.
Even non-Muslim countries have demand on Halal-certified products because of its quality.
Halal products are branded as healthy, wholesome and hygienic.
Aside from Malaysia, key Halal markets include Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Pakistan.
Other Halal markets in non-Muslim countries are: India, China, United States, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, and the Philippines. (PNA)