JAKARTA (ANTARA) – The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, is committed to coordinate with the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in accelerating the certification of Halal products.
„SME actors can apply directly using the scheme for free halal certification (Cehati), which will reach one million (in quota) by 2023,” BPJPH president Akhil Irham said in a statement received here on Thursday.
According to Irham, the program is offered by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to SMEs fostered by the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkob UKM).
Irham expects the Office of the Ministry of SMEs in the regions to help facilitate the Halal certification process.
The Halal Certification Acceleration Program aims to achieve the target of 10 million Halal certified products by 2024.
He noted that Indonesia aims to become a global halal product industry hub by 2024.
„We hope that the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs will provide support in the form of a halal certification facility that will be distributed evenly through relevant agencies in provinces and districts and cities throughout Indonesia,” he said.
Irham stressed that Halal certification is the key to providing consumers with a sense of certainty and security.
He explained that consumers should be aware of how Halal principles are applied in the production process, from ingredients, processing and packaging to presentation.
Meanwhile, Assistant Deputy for Micro Business Security and Facilitation at Kemenkop UKM, Rahmati, echoed his side’s commitment to support BPJPH in the Halal Certification Acceleration Programme, particularly through the One Million Quota Programme.
„The ministry strongly supports BPJPH in the one million free halal certification scheme,” he said.
Rahmati stressed the importance of Halal certification in strengthening small business products to develop the Sharia economy industry in Indonesia more qualified and competitive.
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