CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber) held its 17th Cagayan de Oro Business Enterprises, Services and Trade Exposition (Oro BEST) on October 29, showcasing the growing Halal industry and the vast business opportunities it offers to local enterprises and entrepreneurs.
Oro Chamber President Avalyn Cahulogan said the expo aims to promote and showcase Halal products and services in Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao and provide a platform for businesses and trade organizations to explore potential partnerships and collaborations in the Halal industry.
“The Oro BEST Expo 2024 with the theme “ORO BEST Goes HALAL” is designed to meet the growing demand for Halal products and services, provide economic and cultural opportunities, and facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange within this burgeoning industry,” she said.
Cahulogan said the expo aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, as well as the comprehensive Halal strategic plan aiming to tap into the significant economic potential of the Halal industry, which will double both domestic and international output by 2028.
“The Oro BEST expo also supports the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) objective to position the Philippines as the fastest-growing Halal hub in the Asia Pacific region through its ‘Halal-Friendly Philippines’ campaign,” she further said.
In addition to the exhibition, the Oro BEST expo featured four informative panel discussions focusing on developing sustainable Halal supply chains, various Halal programs and initiatives, overcoming challenges for Halal businesses, Halal certification processes, and Islamic financing.
Launched in 2007, the Oro BEST Expo has become a flagship event for the Oro Chamber, addressing the needs of the region’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through networking, market development, policy advocacy, and the growth and sustainability of member companies.
Usec. Blesila Lantayona of DTI’s Regional Operations Group, in a video message, commended the Oro Chamber for the initiative. She said that this year’s Oro BEST Expo is more than just a showcase of business and trade but a platform for the region to solidify its position in the global Halal industry.
“We are signaling that Northern Mindanao is ready to become a major player in the Philippine Halal sector, targeting not only our ASEAN neighbors as a market but also the rest of the world. With the many resources of the region and the dynamic collaboration between government and the private sector, the future of Northern Mindanao in the world of Halal is bright,” she emphasized. (APB/PIA-10)
