"BRIN supports the strengthening of the halal product ecosystem and industry, which is based on research and innovation and is committed as an enabler and facilitator of research and innovation for parties outside BRIN, including universities and industries," BRIN's director for utilization of research and innovation in ministries/agencies, the community, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Dadan Nugraha, said on Thursday.
BRIN wants to develop the capacity and competence of people outside BRIN, including those from universities and the industry, for conducting research and innovation, especially for the development of halal products, he informed.
To this end, BRIN has established the Central Food Technology and Process Research Laboratory, which is a traditional food processing facility implementing the current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) standards.
The establishment of the laboratory, which is located in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, has been funded by the 2020–2021 state sharia securities (SBSN), and it has been proclaimed as a reference laboratory for halal research in Indonesia.
Through the laboratory, BRIN is providing open access to the CGMP facility and offering training and assistance to small and medium enterprises producing traditional foods to ensure their products are of good quality, safe, and halal, and have competitiveness in the global market.
The establishment of the laboratory is also aimed at supporting the development of halal foods in Indonesia in a bid to bolster the halal product ecosystem and industry in the country.
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Acting deputy for research and innovation utilization at BRIN, R. Hendrian, said that Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world based on a report from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.
Thus, Indonesia has vast potential as a sharia economy market and for becoming a world producer of halal products. Therefore, the development of research and innovation of halal products is deemed a strategic step.
Aside from Indonesia's large Muslim population, the demand for halal products has continued to increase and the use of halal products has now become a lifestyle.
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Translator: Martha Herlinawati, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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