Davao City, September 21, 2024 - The Indonesia-Philippine Development Forum was successfully kicked off in Davao City, the Philippines, focusing on the development of the Islamic economic ecosystem in Mindanao. With high-level participation from both countries, the forum highlighted the growing potential for collaboration in the halal industry and Muslim-friendly tourism.
Representing Indonesia, Sutan Emir Hidayat, Director of Islamic Economic Supporting Ecosystem at the National Committee of Islamic Economy and Finance (KNEKS), delivered a presentation on global opportunities in the halal sector and recent developments in Indonesia. His speech emphasized on the expanding demand for halal-certified products and services, both regionally and globally, driven by the increasing Muslim population and growing consumer preference for ethical and safe products, including halal-certified food, pharmaceuticals, and fashion.
Sutan Emir also discussed Indonesia’s strategic initiatives, highlighting efforts to modernize the halal certification process, strengthen the halal industry’s upstream sector, and expand Islamic financial services. Indonesia’s experience in leveraging halal products and Muslim-friendly tourism positions the country as a key partner for the Philippines in developing Mindanao into a halal economic hub in the republic.
The event was organized as part of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Philippines, aims to foster bilateral cooperation in the Islamic economy. Key goals include sharing expertise, facilitating business matching, and exploring concrete collaborative projects to support economic growth in Mindanao. The forum underscored the potential for Indonesia and the Philippines to capitalize on shared strengths in Islamic finance and halal industry development.
Reporter: M. Quraisy, Amin Edakiansai, Adelina Zuleika
Editor: Ishmah Qurratu'ain