Singapore --- Indonesia and Singapore have just signed a cooperation agreement or MoU on Halal Product Assurance (JPH). The synergy was marked by the signing of the MoU on Cooperation in the Quality Assurance on Halal Product. The signing of the MoU was carried out by the Head of the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Muhammad Aqil Irham, and the Chief Executive of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) Kadir Maideen, in Singapore.

The signing of the MoU was attended and witnessed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryo Pratomo, and the Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli. It was also attended by the President of MUIS Mohd Saat, as well as the Head of the BPJPH Halal Cooperation and Standardization Center Abd Syakur.

"Alhamdulillah, BPJPH and MUIS have signed the MoU on Halal Product Assurance," said the Head of BPJPH, Muhammad Aqil Irham, in Singapore, Thursday (8/9/2022).

Aqil said that synergy between the halal authorities of the two countries is important considering that Indonesia and Singapore are friendly countries that have long collaborated in various fields. Including, product trade activities. Indonesia-Singapore are also members of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore Minister of Religious Affairs forum or MABIMS.

"This MoU is important to encourage an increase in the volume of exports and imports of the two countries in a mutually beneficial manner, especially the volume of halal product trade," continued Aqil.

The MoU, he continued, is intended to strengthen, advance, and develop cooperation regarding halal product quality assurance which includes cooperation in the field of halal certification and halal logos between the two institutions on the basis of equality and mutual benefit in accordance with the laws, regulations, regulations, and national policies applicable in their respective countries.

"This is also in order to welcome the first phase of halal certification obligations that we will start implementing in October 2024 for food products, beverages, raw materials, food additives, auxiliary materials for food and beverage products, as well as products in the form of slaughtering services and slaughtering product." explained Aqil.

"In addition, we see that the potential for cooperation in halal products between the two countries is still wide open to be developed and its benefits taken for all of us." he added.

Similarly, MUIS Chief Executive Kadir Maideen said that the synergy between BPJPH and MUIS on Halal Product Assurance is an important step in strengthening cooperation between the two institutions.

"This collaboration will ensure that halal products are consistently certified halal through high standards, to provide assurance of halal quality, which is very necessary in ensuring the availability of halal products for consumers." explained Kadir. []