Jogja Halal Fest #3 Officially Launched, Aiming to Become a Global Halal Ecosystem Hub
The third Jogja Halal Fest (JHF) #3 has been officially launched as a strategic move to strengthen the Sharia economic ecosystem in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) and to unlock global market opportunities for halal products. The festival is scheduled to take place from 4–6 December 2026 at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC).
The Chairman of the Indonesian Sharia Economic Community (MES) DIY, Professor Edy Suandi Hamid, stated that JHF #3 is driven by the ambition to evolve from a local event into a festival of national and international calibre. He noted that Yogyakarta possesses significant potential to become a hub for halal economic development, particularly through the sectors of education, fashion, tourism, and culinary arts.
“Yogyakarta has great potential for Sharia economic development, for instance, in the fashion, education, and Muslim-friendly tourism sectors. Many universities in Yogyakarta have already developed Sharia economic studies. Furthermore, Muslim-friendly tourism holds great prospects. We already have the foundation; it is now a matter of how we develop it,” said Edrol during his speech on Thursday.
He added that JHF #3 will involve economic actors not only from local and national levels but also from abroad. The involvement of international participants is expected to expand business networks and provide global market access for businesses and MSMEs in DIY. The organisers have set an ambitious visitor target of 70,000 people, doubling the attendance of previous editions.
To achieve this, the organisers are working closely with the Yogyakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) as a strategic partner. This initiative aligns with Indonesia’s National Sharia Economic Masterplan, which aims to position the country as the world leader in the halal industry, despite Indonesia currently ranking third or fourth.
Tazbir Abdullah, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Kadin DIY, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to collaborating with MES DIY to promote Yogyakarta as a centre for halal products capable of competing internationally. Similarly, the Representative Head of Bank Indonesia DIY, Sri Darmadi Sudibyo, emphasised that JHF #3 serves as a strategic platform for building a sustainable Sharia economic ecosystem rather than just a marketing event.
Representing the Regional Secretary of DIY, Government Expert Noviar Rahmad, highlighted the importance of maintaining the quality and continuity of the halal product supply to support Muslim-friendly tourism. He noted that halal certification must go beyond mere formality to ensure a consistent supply of halal goods.
The Organizing Committee (OC) of JHF #3, Heroe Poerwadi, reported that preparations are progressing positively, with approximately 30 booths already reserved. The festival is projected to be a comprehensive showcase for various sectors, including halal food and beverages, Muslim fashion, halal cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and various MSME products, alongside involvement from Sharia financial institutions, tourism, and creative industries.