The Department of Trade and Industry in Bicol (DTI-5) is encouraging more micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to promote and develop “halal” products to create more opportunities and attract more tourists, particularly from Muslim countries.

During the launch of the “Halal-Friendly Bicol Region” initiative at the Pepperland Hotel here on Wednesday, DTI-5 Regional Director Dindo Nabol said they will conduct a series of training and promotions for at least 20 MSME owners in the region to start promoting the halal industry in the six provinces.

“We start the ball rolling with the launch, and we are on intense promotion for the Halal industry. We already have in line the MSMEs that will benefit from the project. We collaborated with other agencies to make this program run, marami na tayo makikita in the coming days (we will see a lot in the coming days),” Nabol said.

He said aside from the MSMEs in the region, they are also encouraging restaurant owners to become halal-certified.

“The problem was, where our Muslim brothers went, they couldn’t find a restaurant offering halal food. We encourage our tourism-related establishments so we can start offering, for the products and services,” he said in Filipino.

“Halal” means permitted or lawful in accordance with Islamic teachings.

Nabol said halal-friendly products and services could be offered not only to the Muslim community but to every Filipino.

“It’s (halal) not only for Muslims in Bicol but for all Bicolanos. When we say halal, we are talking about the proper, neat, and decent way of preparing food. If it is prepared properly and nicely, we are sure that the food is safe,” he said.

He said they are now collaborating with the United Arab Emirates-based halal-certifying body Prime Group for sample products testing. (PNA)