Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and South Korea are strengthening cooperation in the halal product ecosystem as part of broader efforts to tap into the global halal market, a senior government official said.

Head of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) Ahmad Haikal Hasan stated Monday that the partnership between the two countries goes beyond trade.

“It’s about building trust and creating a modern, inclusive halal ecosystem for future generations,” said Hasan, following his recent visit to Seoul for two key halal-related events.

He described his participation in the 2025 International Halal Seminar and the 70th anniversary of the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) as pivotal in advancing bilateral halal diplomacy.

The seminar brought together prominent figures in the global halal landscape, including KMF President Hussein Kim Dong Eok and Ihsan Ovut, Secretary-General of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC).

Other participants included Malaysia’s JAKIM Deputy Director Mohamad Kori Bin Jusoh, Thailand’s Halal Science Center founder Winai Dahlan, Korea Food Research Institute’s Lee Hyun Sung, along with Korean government officials, academics, and industry leaders.

Hasan stressed the need to intensify collaboration to unlock shared economic potential in the halal sector.

He highlighted the importance of joint efforts in improving certification standards, training halal auditors and slaughterers, and increasing Indonesian halal exports to South Korea.