BPJPH Reminds MSMEs That Halal Certification Can Boost Global Competitiveness

The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) continues to encourage micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to take advantage of halal certification facilitation programmes ahead of the implementation of Mandatory Halal on 18 October 2026. Head of BPJPH Ahmad Haikal Hasan stressed the importance of halal certification for improving business quality, competitiveness, and expanding market access. He made the remarks while speaking at the UMKM Insight Talk Show themed ‘Legality and Standardisation: The Foundation for MSEs to Level Up and Be Competitive’, held at SMESCO Labo, Jakarta, on Wednesday (17/6/2026). The event also featured stakeholders committed to strengthening the national MSE and halal ecosystem, namely Deputy for Medium Enterprises at the Ministry of MSEs Bagus Rachman and BRI Department Head of Product Antonius Aris Bangun Prasetyo. On the occasion, Ahmad Haikal Hasan, familiarly known as Babe Haikal, reminded MSE operators of the mandatory halal certification requirement that will fully take effect on 18 October. He added that halal certification should not be viewed as a burden or obstacle, but rather the opposite. ‘Halal is not just a matter of religion; it has become a universal standard acceptable to anyone. Halal is a Booster for Growth Economy Engine. If we are not orderly about halal, we will be left behind,’ said Babe Haikal in a written statement on Friday (19/6/2026). According to him, the halal aspect is part of business transformation because it not only relates to regulatory compliance but also encourages Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to compete in a wider market. The halal aspect for MSMEs is considered capable of improving product quality, business governance, and consumer trust. ‘Halal is not just change, but transformation. The transformation of MSMEs towards halal is a transformation towards a business that is more prepared, more trusted, and more competitive. When a product is halal, it means the product has met standards that make it worthy of competing and marketable, not only domestically but also in the global market,’ he added. Babe Haikal further noted that amidst global trends emphasising sustainability, health, and product quality, the halal aspect is an important factor in maintaining consumer trust and enhancing competitiveness. Currently, the halal concept is considered relevant because it encompasses aspects of cleanliness, safety, quality, and sustainability. He also conveyed that strengthening the national halal ecosystem is part of the vision to make Indonesia the world’s halal barometer. This can be realised through collaboration between stakeholders and the massive transformation of MSMEs. ‘Our goal is not merely to increase the number of halal certificates, but to make Indonesian Halal a global standard and barometer. Therefore, the transformation of MSMEs towards halal must become a collective movement,’ he asserted. Deputy for Medium Enterprises at the Ministry of MSEs Bagus Rachman expressed a similar view. He highlighted the importance of building a national halal ecosystem through collaboration among relevant parties, and how halal certification can become a selling point to boost MSME competitiveness. ‘When MSMEs enter the halal ecosystem, the products produced not only meet the needs of the domestic market but also have greater opportunities to be accepted in the international market. Halal is an important part of building MSMEs that level up and are globally competitive,’ he explained. In addition to government representatives, BRI Department Head of Product Antonius Aris Bangun Prasetyo also supported strengthening the halal ecosystem. He stated that BRI continues to uphold its commitment to supporting MSME operators through financing and mentoring programmes to facilitate the process of obtaining halal certification. Through this event, BPJPH invited all MSME operators to promptly process their halal certification and utilise the available facilitation programmes, given the approaching implementation of Mandatory Halal in October 2026. This call prioritises strategic steps to help MSMEs increase competitiveness, expand market access, and become part of Indonesia’s globally competitive halal ecosystem.