Pakistani Ambassador to the Philippines Asmina Rabbani called for deeper economic cooperation between the Philippines and Pakistan in the halal sector and invited Filipino businesses to join a major food and agriculture fair in Karachi later this month.
Speaking at the Halal Expo Philippines 2025 at the World Trade Center in Manila, Rabbani said her government sees real opportunitiesto expand halal trade with the Philippines.
She urged Filipino buyers, importers, and distributors to participate in Pakistan’s largest B2B (Business to Business) food and agriculture exhibition – FoodAg 2025 – scheduled from November 25 to 27 at the Expo Center in Karachi. The event will feature more than 500 exhibitors and confirmed participants from over 18 countries.
“It will be an excellent platform to explore Pakistan’s high quality products, and establish lasting business partnerships, especially in the halal food chain.,” Rabbani said, adding that “Pakistan stands in close partnership with the Philippines in advancing halal trade and investment.”
The ambassador noted that Pakistan exports over US$8 billion worth of agricultural products annually, including about US$500 million in halal meat. She said Pakistan’s halal goods already reach markets in China, Malaysia, and the Middle East, and that they see great potential to expand their trade in the Philippines.
More than100 micro, small, and medium enterprises participated in this year’s Halal Expo Philippines, which wrapped up Saturday. The three-day event is part of ongoing efforts to build the country’s halal industry and strengthen its presence in the growing global halal market.
Aleem Guiapal, program manager for Halal Industry Development at the Department of Trade and Industry, said exhibitors came from different parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including a delegation from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“The Halal expo Philippines is also showcasing the strength of the Philippines as the third largest Muslim Filipino population in Southeast Asia,” Guiapal told TheEnvoy.news. He added that the expo supports the government’s “Halal-Friendly Philippines” strategy, which focuses on investment, certification strategy, industry development, and workforce training.
Expo organizer Nasser Deeb, president or exhibitions at The Expo Hut, said the event helps connect suppliers, manufacturers, traders and buyers, complementing the government’s goal of making the Philippines a halal-friendly destination by 2028.
“The expo puts people together … all in one place,” Deeb said. “If you’re in the trade industry, if you want to network with the industry, there’s no better way than through an expo.”
Deeb added that halal practices should not be viewed as exclusive to Muslims. “Halal is for everyone … it’s lifestyle … it’s clean, it’s humane.”
Muslims make up about 10 percent of the Philippines’ estimated 120 million predominantly Catholic population, with most living in the BARMM region, which includes the provinces of Basilan (excluding Isabela City), Tawi-Tawi, Lanao, and Maguindanao
About the Author
