“As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia believes that halal product certification and assurance are essential in the religious and economic aspects,” Amin stated in his opening remarks.
With its 240-million Muslim population, Indonesia has the capability to be involved in various halal industries, such as food and beverage, media and recreation, pharmacy, and cosmetics, he said.
Indonesia’s halal industry, which contributes more than US$5 billion annually to the nation’s gross domestic product, provides a huge potential for halal industry actors in New Zealand to participate in Indonesia’s economy, the vice president noted.
Amin also highlighted the fact that the attention and demand for halal products continue increasing at the global level.
“The spending of Muslims in the halal sector globally is expected to reach US$3 trillion by 2025. The global halal economy value is also estimated to reach US$5 trillion by 2030,” he stated.
Therefore, he is optimistic that the halal economy will continue developing as halal principles and their implementation are not limited to religious values. It also covers high health, cleanliness, and safety standards.
“Hence, Indonesia has adopted a vision to make our country a leading centre of halal industry,” Amin said.
Amin explained that to realise the vision, Indonesia needs to strengthen its halal industry by developing halal industry zones, perfecting information systems on halal production, trade, and produce certification, and strengthening agencies and regulations.
The meeting with New Zealand’s halal industry actors was attended by New Zealander Minister of Biosecurity and Minister of Food Safety Andrew Hoggard, Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand Fientje Maritje S., and 30 local halal industry actors.
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