East Java Provincial Government Supports Halal Product Ecosystem from Upstream to Downstream
The East Java Provincial Government supports the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) regarding the Facilitation of Halal Product Ecosystem Development, initiated by Commission B of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), using an upstream-to-downstream approach.
“The East Java Provincial Government welcomes the approach of the Raperda, which does not only focus on the administrative aspects of certification but also facilitates the halal product ecosystem, starting from the provision of raw materials, production, infrastructure, marketing, and trade, to market access,” stated the East Java Provincial Secretary, Adhy Karyono, during a plenary session of the East Java DPRD in Surabaya on Monday.
This approach is considered capable of increasing the added value and competitiveness of East Java’s products. However, the provincial government will continue to act as a facilitator and will not assume the authority of the central government in determining the halal status of products.
According to Karyono, developing a halal product ecosystem is essential for increasing public protection while simultaneously promoting a fair and sustainable economy.
“East Java possesses great potential to develop a halal product ecosystem supported by agricultural, livestock, marine, and fishery resources, as well as processing industries, trade, cooperatives, and business actors,” he added.
He noted that this potential is not yet fully supported by halal certification ownership, human resources, institutional capacity, infrastructure, access to finance and markets, and coordination between stakeholders.
The provincial government also provided several recommendations, including plans for the establishment of a Provincial Government Halal Inspection Agency, the division of roles among regional agencies, the provision of incentives and certification financing for micro and small enterprises, the development of information systems, and the creation of halal industrial and tourism zones.
All such regulations are requested to be aligned with government authority, regional financial capacity, spatial planning, and existing statutory provisions.