MANILA — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez aims to put Philippine brands in mainstream markets around the world to strengthen Filipino brands in the global mart.
On the sidelines of Malaysia Business Forum Monday, Lopez told reporters that having more Filipino brands in the mainstream market around the world will help promote Philippine-made goods and facilitate companies in gaining brand equity for their products.
“My task to my commercial attaché, not only in Malaysia but around the world, is to have Philippine brands in the mainstream in all parts of the world. So it goes beyond the expo and exhibit,” he said, noting that it will generate more sales for Filipino companies.
He cited that food and beverage brands of Universal Robina Corp., San Miguel Beer, and Petron are strong in Malaysian market.
“We want our commercial attaché to be our focal point, and be the brand ambassadors of our companies in respective countries,” Lopez said in Filipino.
Moreover, to further expand the market for Philippine products, the country’s top trade official said local brands should consider tapping the USD3.2-trillion global halal market.
Some 28 Filipino companies from food, personal care, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries will join the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2018 next month.
“I must say that the Halal industry is an industry where we’re putting much focus on as far as the Philippines is concerned. We are very much lagging in this particular industry. It has a potential worldwide as well as in the Philippines. It’s not just focused on the products but also on the service sector like Halal-certified resorts and restaurants,” Lopez said.
He said the DTI is promoting Halal certification for Philippine products and services.
“We are trying to create a halal culture, that halal has better quality, clean, and there are positive attributes associated with halal-certified products,” he said. “You can never go wrong if you make all the products halal.”
“It’s really the awareness of the potential of halal,” said Lopez.
According to DTI, Muslim population globally grew from 2.14 billion in 2016 to 2.18 billion in 2017, wherein 32 percent or some 1.4 billion Muslims are in Asia.
The global halal industry is also expected to surge to USD10 trillion market by 2030.
Lopez said the Philippines is in close cooperation with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam for the development of halal industry here, as majority of the population of these countries are Muslims. (Kris Crismundo/PNA)
