PHILIPPINES - HALAL - Philippine finance minister pitches for Brunei Halal

Philippine Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima yesterday called for the joint promotion of the Coral Triangle and tourism in the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area) sub-region.

He said through BIMP-EAGA, Brunei's halal label can target Saudi Arabia's haj needs when it has to feed one million people for one month during the pilgrimage season. (source)

PHILIPPINES - HALAL - Mindanao ports for BIMP-EAGA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is identifying which part of the Mindanao sealanes should be part of the BIMP-EAGA as the government seeks to enhance trade linkages with Brunei.

Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said this was discussed during his talks with Brunei officials during the recent presidential trip of President Aquino to the fellow ASEAN country. (source)

BRUNEI - Brunei open to reviving Islamic bank in Phl

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM (via PLDT/Smart) – A Brunei company is open to reviving a dormant Islamic bank in the Philippines.

Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said here yesterday that officials of QAF Brunei Sdn Bhd Co. Ltd. are receptive to the idea of reviving the Al Amanah Islamic Bank that was under the Development Bank of the Philippines.

“We’re asking the support of Brunei in exploring the possible revival of Amanah bank and the response of his royal highness, the prince, is that this could be a vehicle in promoting the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) investment,” he said. (source)

FOOD - HALAL - BIMP-Eaga eyes bigger Halal market sharelatest!

KUCHING: Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area’s (BIMP-Eaga) proponent projects, Halal poultry was set to capture at least two per cent of the demand for 770,000 metric tonnes per year of Halal food products in the Gulf States, including Jordan and Yemen.