AIM and NCMF Forge Partnership to Advance the Philippine Halal Industry and Islamic Finance
The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) School of Executive Education and Lifelong Learning (SEELL) and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) have officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen the Philippine Halal Industry and Islamic Banking and Finance Program, marking a milestone in inclusive and values-driven national development.
The signing ceremony was attended by Hon. Secretary Sheikh Sabuddin N. Abdurahim of the NCMF, Mr. Tahir Lidasan, Jr., CESO II, Executive Director, esteemed leaders and dignitaries from the NCMF and the Muslim community, executives and faculty members from the Institute, and representatives from both institutions.
In his address, Secretary Abdurahim underscored the NCMF’s commitment to advancing the country’s halal ecosystem through education, training, and collaborative policymaking.
“Our partnership is one of the many concrete steps that the NCMF has undertaken to ensure that the Philippine Halal industry will expand exponentially to match our Asian neighbors,” said Secretary Abdurahim. “We begin by strengthening the pool of locally trained technical personnel who are well-versed in the Philippine context. And we continue by encouraging more policymakers to build a legislative framework that considers the inputs of all stakeholders—Muslims and non-Muslims alike.”
Representing the Institute, Ms. Alodia Hernaez, Chief Marketing and Recruitment Officer, emphasized the significance of the partnership in driving inclusive growth and addressing long-standing development gaps.
“This partnership is not only historical, but is also essential for nation-building. The Philippines is home to seven (7) million Muslim Filipinos, based on the 2020 census, yet there are only around 3,000 halal-certified products and services in the country,” Hernaez said. “This gap is more than just statistics – it reflects the work that the country must do to ensure that the needs of our Muslim brothers and sisters are met and addressed.”
She further shared the Institute’s vision for an inclusive and forward-looking nation.
“As we sign this memorandum of agreement, our hope is that we view this step towards a Philippines that truly leaves no one behind, and embraces diversity and inclusion as an opportunity to drive economic growth in every corner of the archipelago.”
Through this partnership, the Institute and NCMF aim to develop leaders and practitioners equipped with the knowledge, technical expertise, and policy understanding necessary to expand the halal industry and Islamic finance sector in the Philippines. The NCMF endorsed-faculty is headed by Atty. Mehol K. Sadain, whose leadership and expertise help ensure the program’s alignment with national priorities and cultural context.
This collaboration reflects a shared belief that education, inclusion, and innovation are vital drivers of sustainable development—paving the way for a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive Philippine economy.
