Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) announced that it has signed 52 mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with foreign halal certification agencies from 24 countries during the Halal-20 (H20) forum.

The forum is being held in Tangerang, Banten, from October 9 to 12.

"The 2024 H20 forum is a strategic opportunity for us to expand our networks and enhance our understanding of how technological innovation and digitalization can benefit halal stakeholders," said BPJPH Head Aqil Irham on Friday.

The 52 MRAs represent an increase of 40 over the previous total, bringing the overall number to 92.

Irham emphasized that the signing of the 52 MRAs at this year’s H20 forum is a significant achievement and a critical step toward strengthening the synergy of the global halal ecosystem.

The forum also produced a communiqué focusing on three key areas for developing the global halal ecosystem.

The first key area is building global halal connectivity through the H20 forum, highlighting the need to strengthen commitments to creating an interconnected halal ecosystem.

This includes encouraging mutual recognition and collaboration among stakeholders to address differences in halal standards and services while facilitating product development in various countries.

The second key area involves updating Indonesia’s global halal policy in October 2024 by enforcing mandatory halal certification in the country.

This policy aims to harmonize halal standards worldwide, making halal-certified products more accessible and providing greater clarity for international partners.

The third key area focuses on embracing technology for growth. The integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, into halal policies is seen as crucial for the industry's sustainable growth.

“This innovation will foster transparency, improve accessibility, and build confidence in the global halal ecosystem, enhancing traceability and efficiency throughout the supply chain,” Irham noted.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
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