Arroyo okays food processing expansion in RP by Saudi firm

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved a proposal of a large Saudi Arabia food processing company to expand its operations in the Philippines to produce Halal-certified foods, particularly chicken.

Sheik Adnan Zainy, chairman of the board of directors of the Abbar & Zainy Group of Companies based in Saudi Arabia, made the offer when he called on the President in Malacañang.

Zainy said his company would bring in a group of experts in Halal food preparations who would certify whether an operation is Halal-qualified.

The company services a large portion of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East with its Halal chicken.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila, who joined the President in the closed door meeting, said the President was "happy" with the development because this pledge meant that "our labor is bearing results."

Favila said the President's trips abroad, particularly to Europe and the Middle East wherein she projected the Philippines as an alternative investment site, had great impact on international businessmen.

"The President is happy with the developments because this is a product of the visits she did, specifically when we went to Jeddah," he said.

Aside from food processing, Abbar & Zainy is also one of Saudi Arabia's largest importers of tropical fruits such as bananas and pineapples which it sources from the Philippines.

It is also a well-known cold storage facility provider with four offices scattered all over the Middle East.