We expect that (the provision of) clear coordination and definition (of the halal industry) can show how well the industry -- both in the financial sector and the real sector -- meets the sharia conditions.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has asked the National Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance (KNEKS) to focus on accelerating the development of the sharia economy, halal industry, and other work programs, the Finance Minister said.

"Especially regarding the prominent programs, which require cooperation since they cannot be done by a single ministry or institution," Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said after the second KNEKS plenary meeting here on Monday.

After the launch of the sharia economy as well as industrial areas in Sidoarjo district, East Java province, and Cikarang area, West Java province, similar initiatives have also been implemented by several other regional heads to establish halal industrial areas, she noted.

"The attempts need to be supported by various programs of the ministries/agencies to encourage the economic actors to utilize the halal economic zone by making them interested in the various benefits, advantages, and facilities (of the zone),” she said.

Other programs include ensuring the integration and consistency of economic data and the Islamic finance industry.

"We expect that (the provision of) clear coordination and definition (of the halal industry) can show how well the industry -- both in the financial sector and the real sector -- meets the sharia conditions," Indrawati, who also served as the secretary of KNEKS, said.

In addition, the sharia public-private partnership (PPP) is being accelerated to encourage national development.

“Currently, there is a new PPP to build a hospital in Aceh province. We hope that the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry has various sharia financing (schemes), which can be expedited,” the minister said.

If a sharia PPP financing scheme has been developed, it will improve Indonesia's reputation on sharia scheme implementation as well as meet the funding needs for development programs outside the state budget (APBN), she added.

Furthermore, there are also sharia funding instruments and halal culinary industry development programs.

Meanwhile, Vice President Amin said KNEKS will continue to strive to realize Indonesia's goal to become the center of global halal production.

"Yesterday (at the first KNEKS plenary meeting), I gave directives to make the KNEKS programs become more concrete, measurable, and beneficial," he added.

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Translator: Indra Pribadi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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