THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Makati has entered into an agreement with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) to jointly promote and develop the billion-dollar halal industry in the country and to accredit halal-certifying bodies for the benefit of Muslim Filipinos.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed last Thursday night by PCCI-Makati President Nunnatus Cortez and NCMF Commissioner Datu Ras Lidasan Jr. representing NCMF Executive Director Tahir Lidasan Jr. during the first general membership meeting and installation of officers and trustees of PCCI-Makati, held at Makati Diamond Residences.

The MoU aims to provide a framework for an all-inclusive partnership between the NCMF and the PCCI-Makati for the promotion and development of Philippine halal industry, specifically through the establishment of halal hub in the City of Makati.

The halal hub shall provide a platform of linkages among halal manufacturers, traders, buyers, and consumers.

Halal is an Arabic term that means permissible, allowed or lawful under Islamic (Sharia) law.

Key sectors in the halal industry include food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, garments, finance, and tourism.

Under the agreement, both PCCI-Makati and the NCMF will formulate, coordinate, implement and monitor plans, policies, programs, and projects for the promotion and development of the Philippine halal industry.

Present during the MoU signing were Ruby Bañares-Victorino, vice president and chairman of PCCI-Makati Halal Project; Toots Cortez, incumbent president-PCCI-Makati; lawyer Jehan Jehan Lepail, NCMF deputy executive director; Alegria Sibal-Limjoco, vice president, PCCI Regional Affairs; and Dimapuno Datu-Ramos Jr., regional director, NCMF-NCR.

The NCMF is mandated to preserve and develop the culture, tradition, institutions and well-being of Muslim Filipinos.

It has also entered into agreements with various government agencies to promote the halal industry, including the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).