The Board of Investments (BOI), together with the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), actively pitched the country’s strong potential as a competitive hub for halal-certified personal care manufacturing during the Halal Conference at the World Trade Center Metro Manila on June 17, 2026.
Dr. Rose Marie O. Mendoza, BOI Acting Director of the Manufacturing Industries Service (MIS), delivered a presentation on Catalyzing Innovation in the Halal Beauty Industry: Unraveling Incentives for Growth and Transformation.
The conference featured key speakers from government and international partners, including Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte of the DTI-EMB, Mr. AlMahdi JulAhmad, Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist of DTI-EMB, and Ms. Cucu Rina Purwaningrum, Commercial and Partnership General Manager of LPPOM MUI.
In her presentation, Dr. Mendoza emphasized that the global halal economy, now valued at over USD2.6 trillion, presents a compelling opportunity for Philippine manufacturers to diversify into high-value sectors such as cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceuticals.
She highlighted that beyond faith-based demand, halal-certified products are increasingly aligned with global consumer preferences for clean, safe, ethical, and sustainable products, broadening market appeal across both Islamic and non-Islamic markets.
A key point raised during the session was the significant import dependence in the Philippine cosmetics and personal care market, where imports continue to exceed exports. This creates a clear opportunity for local manufacturing and import substitution.
Dr. Mendoza noted that developing domestic halal-certified manufacturing can help address this gap while positioning the Philippines to access expanding export markets in ASEAN, the Middle East, and beyond.
“The domestic import gap is wide, the scientific foundation is ready, the workforce is highly skilled, and the fiscal incentives under SIPP and CREATE MORE are unmatched in ASEAN. The Board of Investments is ready to hold your hand through every step of this journey. Let us make it happen in the Philippines,” Dr. Mendoza said.
She also underscored the country’s strategic advantages, including a young and skilled workforce, an established manufacturing base, and strong integration into regional supply chains, which support the Philippines’ potential to become a regional halal production hub.
On policy support, the BOI highlighted the availability of investment incentives under the CREATE MORE Act and the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), which aim to attract high-value investments, promote innovation, and support industry transformation.
The BOI remains committed to supporting investors through end-to-end services, including business matching, registration facilitation, and aftercare support, as part of its mandate to accelerate investment and industry development in the Philippines.
Moreover, the session forms part of broader government efforts to position the Philippines as a key player in the global halal economy and to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial growth.
