TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid\nHamidi announced the formation of the Malaysia-Indonesia Halal Council\nto strengthen halal diplomacy between the two countries.<\/p>\n
BERNAMA reported that Ahmad Zahid said the council would be led by\nIndonesia\u2019s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH), while\nMalaysia would serve as the council\u2019s secretary-general, with the first\nmeeting scheduled for October 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cNext month, the focus will be on facilitating halal certification\nbetween Malaysia and Indonesia to streamline bilateral halal trade\nbetween the two countries,\u201d he said in his speech at the Global Halal\nSummit 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, as quoted by ANTARA.<\/p>\n
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of\nunderstanding (MoU) on cooperation in 2023. He added that bilateral\nnegotiations to facilitate halal certification and trade between the two\ncountries concluded in June 2026.<\/p>\n
According to him, closer cooperation can identify practical methods\nto facilitate trade, reduce duplication, and connect companies with\nregional supply chains. \u201cThe goal of halal diplomacy is for both sides\nto leverage the trust that has been built to open markets, facilitate\ninvestment and create opportunities together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ahmad Zahid said this cooperation will ultimately result in fewer\nbarriers, easier market access, and more companies engaging in\ncross-border trade. He believes small producers need a clearer path to\nfinding overseas buyers and that companies with halal certification\nshould be given the support they need to fulfill their first export\norders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe future of halal depends on how well we can connect with one\nanother and build that trust going forward,\u201d he said, adding that\nMalaysia aims to increase halal exports to approximately RM80 billion\nringgit (Rp351 trillion) by 2030.<\/p>\n
Ahmad Zahid stated that the halal industry contributes about 11\npercent to Malaysia\u2019s gross domestic product (GDP), yet only 14.7\npercent of halal-certified companies are exporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo realise our aspirations, we need to help more of these companies\ncompete overseas. Certification is only the beginning of that journey.\nCompanies also need consistent production, suitable packaging, working\ncapital, reliable logistics and an understanding of their target\nmarkets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Read: How Long Will the Suffocating Haze Last in Malaysia?<\/p>\n
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