BPJPH: Indonesia's Halal Potential Must Be Optimised Through Cross-Border Cooperation

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The Indonesian Halal Product Guarantee Body (BPJPH) has stated that Indonesia’s halal industry and product potential must be further optimised through cross-border collaboration and international cooperation.

“Indonesia is one of the world’s largest Muslim consumer markets. Various research findings and survey reports demonstrate that the halal product market possesses considerable economic potential and presents promising opportunities for business actors in both domestic and international trade,” said Muhammad Aqil Irham, Secretary General of BPJPH, in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

He further assessed that cross-border synergy efforts are necessary to ensure halal product trade flows without obstruction and to meet halal product demand.

“To maximise this potential, various partnerships are being developed through Government-to-Government (G2G), Business-to-Business (B2B), and Government-to-Business (G2B) schemes, so that the halal product trade ecosystem becomes stronger and increasingly interconnected,” said Aqil Irham.

Aqil Irham then cited examples of halal cooperation in the Southeast Asian region, such as between Indonesia and Thailand, particularly through a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between BPJPH and the Central Islamic Council of Thailand.

“This agreement enables mutual recognition of halal quality guarantees whilst facilitating smooth halal product trade between Indonesia and Thailand,” he said.

Furthermore, Aqil Irham stated that trade relations between Indonesia and Thailand have demonstrated positive dynamics. In 2025, total trade value between Indonesia and Thailand reached USD 17.6 billion, with Indonesian exports worth USD 8.7 billion and imports worth USD 8.9 billion.

“This indicates that there remains significant scope to strengthen bilateral trade, including through increased trade in halal-certified products,” said Aqil Irham.

Therefore, BPJPH is also continuously strengthening outreach regarding mandatory halal certification obligations to domestic business actors and foreign product exporters entering Indonesia.

Aqil Irham emphasised that the implementation of mandatory halal certification or “Mandatory Halal 2026” applies equally to all products circulating in Indonesia, whether domestic or foreign products.