Indonesia and Morocco Accelerate Halal Product Assurance Cooperation

The Indonesian government and Morocco have discussed accelerating the implementation of cooperation in the field of halal product assurance as a follow-up to the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between the two countries signed some time ago. Head of the Halal Product Assurance Organising Body (BPJPH) Ahmad Haikal Hasan stated in Jakarta on Saturday that this step is part of efforts to strengthen bilateral trade, expand market access for halal products, and support the development of a global halal ecosystem. “This cooperation not only strengthens the implementation of halal product assurance in both countries but also opens up mutually beneficial multisectoral trade opportunities and supports Indonesia’s trade balance,” he said. He further explained that the acceleration of communication with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco is in line with the Indonesian Foreign Minister’s support to expedite the MRA implementation, strengthen multisectoral trade synergy, and prepare the next bilateral cooperation agenda. Haikal added that Morocco is a strategic partner with high-quality standards. “Therefore, the partnership between the two countries is expected to expand market access for Indonesian products, increase the competitiveness of national halal products, and contribute to the trade balance of both countries,” he said. The strengthening of Indonesia-Morocco halal cooperation will also support the implementation of the Mandatory Halal policy, or halal certification obligation, in Indonesia which will commence on 18 October 2026. “Furthermore, this simultaneously opens up wider investment and trade opportunities, as well as encourages the development of the halal industry in various sectors,” Haikal said. The follow-up discussion on Indonesia-Morocco cooperation in halal product assurance in Jakarta was also attended by Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry and Trade of Morocco Omar Hejira, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Indonesia Redouane Houssaini. Also present were leaders from the halal body Institut Marocain de Normalisation (IMANOR), Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Association Marocaine des Exportateurs (ASMEX), Fédération Nationale de l’Agro-Alimentaire (FENAGRI), Agence Marocaine de Développement des Investissements et des Exportations (AMDIE), Morocco Foodex, and several Moroccan industry representatives.