Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Industry collaborates with stakeholders to encourage growth of the halal industry and optimize opportunities along with the growing sharia economy in Indonesia in recent years.

The ministry invites relevant stakeholders to improve coordination and collaboration in order to create a halal industrial ecosystem.

"This coordination and collaboration support the development and empowerment of the halal industry to realize Indonesia as the world's leading halal producer," the ministry's Secretary General, Dody Widodo, noted in a written statement received here, Friday.

In the Halal Awareness Executive Class in Jakarta, November 2, 2022, Widodo explained that to strengthen regulations in the halal sector, the ministry included the empowerment of the halal industry as part of the National Industrial Policy (KIN).

Based on Presidential Regulation Number 74 of 2022 on the 2020-2024 National Industrial Policy, empowerment of the halal industry is conducted through the preparation of halal industry policies, the strengthening of halal industry infrastructure, and implementation of the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH). The other measures include the provision of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for the halal industry, international cooperation for access to halal raw materials, and expansion of market access, he stated.

"It also includes the recognition of national halal certification through the Multi Recognition Agreement (MRA) with other countries, literacy, education, campaigns, socialization, and promotion of the halal industry through awards and national halal industry festivals," Widodo remarked.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry along with the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS) and other halal stakeholders are currently preparing a Master Plan for the Development of the Indonesian Halal Industry (MPIHI) that is expected to be a guide for the development and empowerment of the national halal industry to realize Indonesia as the center of the world's halal producers.

Widodo affirmed that his side is optimistic of realizing qualified halal products through the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH) in future, based on experience as a leading sector in the application of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) industry.

He later remarked that in 2022, the Ministry of Industry had carried out competency certification for 36 halal auditors and 46 halal supervisors. In addition, the ministry facilitated halal industry certification, with a target of 1,050 industries by the end of 2022, and strengthening the halal certification institution through the establishment of the Halal Inspection Agency (LPH).

To date, the Industry Ministry already has five accredited LPHs: the Center for Standardization and Industrial Services (BBSPJI) for Leather, Rubber, and Plastics in Yogyakarta, BBSPJI for Plantation Products, Metal Minerals, and Maritime in Makassar, Center for Standardization and Industrial Services (BSPJI) in Pekanbaru, BSPJI Banjarbaru, and BSPJI Ambon, he added.

"We continue to encourage other Integrated Service Units (UPT) at the Ministry of Industry to increase the number of LPHs that serve the community from Aceh to Ambon. Currently, there are nine UPTs in the accreditation process," Widodo noted.

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Translator: Risbiani Fardaniah, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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