This (halal product guarantee) also encourages the growth of the sharia economy, part of our economy that will strengthen our national security, economic resilience, and investmentJakarta (ANTARA) - Halal product guarantees can contribute to maintaining national food security, Deputy III for Consumption Diversification and Food Safety at the National Food Agency (NFA) Andriko Noto Susanto said.
"This (halal product guarantee) also encourages the growth of the sharia economy, part of our economy that will strengthen our national security, economic resilience, and investment," he added at the International Conference on Indonesia and Global Affairs RPI -1st Session on Thursday.
In addition, halal product guarantees are urgently needed since they are recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO). Further, the halal product market in the Asia-Pacific has reached 62 percent, followed by the Middle East (20 percent), Africa (15 percent), Europe (3 percent), and the United States (3 percent), Susanto said.
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Thus, halal product guarantees must be pursued in view of the growing Muslim population, which will reach 2.16 billion or 26 percent of the world's population in 2023. In addition, halal has also become a lifestyle for the global community, he said.
"The potential of the halal food market in Indonesia is very large, from 100 percent of the population, 237.53 million need halal food because they are Muslims," he noted.
In addition, the size of the Muslim population in several countries is also quite big. They are referred to as militant consumers that must be provided with halal products properly.
The Global Islamic Economy (GIE) report showed that in 2020–2021, Indonesia was in the top five in terms of the global Islamic economy indicator score, Islamic finance, modest fashion, and Muslim-friendly travel.
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Susanto emphasized that food security, including halal product guarantees, cannot be achieved without synergy and collaboration in building national food safety.
Besides involving food affairs services of 514 districts/cities and 37 provinces, as well as related ministries/institutions, synergy and collaboration are also being carried out with institutions that provide financial support, technology support, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and the media.
"We must collaborate together to achieve it. Also, do not let people around us go hungry. We must help them," he added.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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