Governor pushes for free halal certification for 5,000 MSMEs by 2027
North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution is pushing for an increase in free halal certification incentives for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from 1,000 to 5,000 in 2027.
The move, he said, is considered important to accelerate the strengthening of the halal ecosystem while enhancing the competitiveness of North Sumatra’s local products in the global market.
“This year, 1,000 halal certifications have been given to MSMEs. It can be said to be large, quite decent. If it is said to be small, it is certainly small,” Bobby said while attending the opening of the North Sumatra Halal Fest 2026 in Medan on Wednesday.
Bobby noted that of the 1.4 million MSME units recorded in North Sumatra in 2025, only around 100,000 business actors currently hold halal certification.
“There is still homework of around 1.3 million more that must be halal-certified. Therefore, I am asking for an increase to at least 5,000 MSMEs receiving free halal incentives per year starting next year,” he said.
He also mentioned that the halal industry and halal products are increasingly in demand among the public, both nationally and globally.
This condition presents a significant opportunity for MSME actors in North Sumatra to expand their markets while simultaneously improving product competitiveness.
“We need to continue increasing halal certification for MSMEs in North Sumatra so that more regional flagship products meet halal standards, have competitiveness, and can become drivers of North Sumatra’s economy,” Bobby said.
Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office for North Sumatra, Ameriza M Moessa, said that the development of the sharia economy has great potential to support North Sumatra’s economic growth.
The sharia economy, he said, does not only encompass sharia finance but also the halal value chain, including halal food and beverages, fashion, cosmetics, Muslim-friendly tourism, agriculture, the creative industry, MSMEs, and the pesantren economy.
“The sharia economy is no longer merely a limited sector but has become part of real economic activity. It has the potential to be one of the increasingly important sources of economic growth, including in North Sumatra,” Ameriza said.
Head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency, Haikal Hassan, said that North Sumatra has great potential as it is supported by many business actors and MSMEs.
Haikal said that the number of halal products from North Sumatra is believed to open wider market opportunities as the halal lifestyle continues to grow.
“The halal lifestyle is increasingly widespread, so halal certification is one of the opportunities for North Sumatra MSME products to increase consumer trust and expand markets,” he explained.