Indonesia and Australia Strengthen Trade Through Halal Product Assurance Cooperation

The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) of Indonesia and the Australian Embassy in Indonesia have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementation of Halal Product Assurance to facilitate and increase export-import activities of halal-certified products between the two countries. BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan stated that the signing marks an important milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Australia in the field of halal product assurance. He said the cooperation will not only support the smooth trade of halal products between the two nations but also strengthen halal system harmonisation, increase trust among businesses and consumers, and encourage the growth of a more integrated and globally competitive halal ecosystem. ‘This MoU is an important step in strengthening halal cooperation between Indonesia and Australia. Through enhanced technical dialogue, capacity building, and information exchange, we can increase consumer confidence, support the development of the halal ecosystem, and expand access to high-quality halal products for both countries’ markets,’ Hasan said on Monday (13/7/2026). Through the MoU, BPJPH and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) agreed to strengthen halal product assurance cooperation through consultation, information exchange, technical cooperation, recognition of Australian Foreign Halal Institutions in accordance with BPJPH provisions, and trade facilitation of halal products between the two countries. The MoU establishes a formal cooperation framework covering information exchange, technical consultation, and capacity building in the field of halal product assurance. Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Matt Thistlethwaite, conveyed that Indonesia is a strategic partner for Australia in the Indo-Pacific region, including for Australian food and agricultural products. He said this cooperation will provide greater certainty for businesses in both countries, strengthen trade relations, and open wider opportunities for halal-certified products to enter each other’s markets. He further stated that the MoU supports two-way trade by strengthening cooperation in halal product assurance, while also reinforcing the economic partnership between the two countries under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The cooperation also includes technology development, human resource enhancement, research and development, strengthening of facilities and infrastructure, and regular communication to support the implementation of halal product assurance. The agreement is valid for five years from the date of signing and can be extended by mutual agreement. The MoU was signed by BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan and Australian Chargé d’Affaires to Indonesia Gita Kamath, witnessed by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite MP in Jakarta on Monday (13/7/2026).