PBBM spells out goals in Malaysia state visit

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on

Tuesday said he is aiming to establish a booming halal industry through new partnerships in Malaysia.

“ Malaysia is one of the global leaders in this sector and this visit aims to forge synergies with Malaysia for the Philippines to enjoy a share of this market,” the Chief Executive said in his departure speech at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

H e noted the industry would allow the country to boost its international trade.

“The Halal Industry is expected to grow into a trillion-dollar industry in the international market as its global demand continues to expand,” Marcos said.

Last April , the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) disclosed it is still developing Philippine Halal Development Plan as mandated by Republic Act No. 10817 or the Halal Export Development and Promotion Act to take advantage of the said growing industry.

T he President is currently in Malaysia for a State Visit from July 25, Tuesday to 27, Thursday.

During the visit, Marcos said he will meet with Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah and

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

H e said he would pursue areas of cooperation on Halal Industry, Islamic Banking, agriculture and food security, digital economy, tourism, and people-topeople exchanges.

“Building on past successes, this State Visit to Malaysia aims to identify new areas of synergies that can propel our partnership and serve as a roadmap for our respective agencies to work on for the mutual benefit of both our countries and the peoples of the new century,” Marcos said.

Also par t of his itinerary is his meeting with the Filipino community as well as with Malaysian businessmen through an investment forum organized by DTI.

“ We will build new bridges between our economies and create inroads to new ventures that will see our bilateral trade volumes and investments increase,” Marcos said.

T he additional investments, he said, will help generate more local jobs to provide current or aspiring overseas Filipino workers alternative employment opportunities.

Samuel P. Medenilla