"The potency of the global halal economy is so huge. Its market is around 1.8 billion Muslims across the world," Uno told participants of the "Indonesia Triumphs` Initiative to be a Hub of the World`s Halal Economy" here on Friday.
The potency of the global halal economy was estimated to reach around Rp3,300 trillion. Therefore, with a large Muslim population, Indonesia should be able to emerge as the hub of the world`s halal economy, he said.
He said Indonesia would become a hub of the world`s halal economy in several years from now if Indonesians could be the main players of the country`s halal industries.
In different parts of the globe, countries such as Thailand, South Korea, and Japan have also been developing their halal industries seriously by considering the huge potency of the world`s halal economy, he said.
Attempting to convince his seriousness, Sandiaga Uno said that he had discussed his plan to develop Indonesia`s halal economy if the Prabowo-Sandi pair won the elections, due to be held on April 17, 2019, with Irwandi Jaswir.
"The potency of our country`s halal economy is so huge. It is not just related to its natural resources but also its human resources. Thus, we must be the key players and winners of the halal economy," he said.
Irwandi Jaswir is a leading figure in the halal economic field. He is an Indonesian, who has won the King Faisal International Prize for "Service to Islam" in 2018.
"The target of Indonesia Triumphs is making Indonesia the world`s fifth halal economic power within five years, and the center of the world`s halal economy within 10 years. The sooner the better," Sandiaga Uno said.
Reporting by Susylo Asmalyah, Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
