We expect that the two countries can immediately follow up on the discussion to become a more concrete cooperation agreement
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government explores cooperation in halal product assurance with New Zealand in a bid to become a leader in the global halal industry by 2024.

Cooperation in halal product assurance became one of the topics during the meeting between Indonesian Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi and New Zealand's Minister of Agriculture Hon Damien O'Connor in New Zealand.

"We expect that the two countries can immediately follow up on the discussion to become a more concrete cooperation agreement," Sa'adi noted through a written statement on Tuesday.


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New Zealand can conduct several opportunities for cooperation in halal product assurance, including cooperation related to halal meat supply, he remarked.

During this time, New Zealand became one of the halal meat supplier countries. Given that Muslims constitute majority of the Indonesian population, the country certainly needs supply of halal meat.

"There are many halal butchers in New Zealand that originally came from Indonesia. We expect to send many more butchers to New Zealand," he remarked.

The deputy minister expected that the cooperation on halal product assurance can benefit both nations and also respect the sovereignty as well as integrity of each country's territory.

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Meanwhile, Head of the Religious Affairs Ministry's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) Aqil Irham noted that the agency is optimistic that Indonesia would realize its dream of becoming the hub of the global halal industry.

"Currently, Indonesia ranks second when it comes to the halal food and beverage industry. The number one is still Malaysia," he stated.

As part of this halal product assurance service cooperation, the BPJPH conducts the accreditation process on three halal institutions in New Zealand.


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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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