Almaty (BPJPH) --- Halal Product Assurance (JPH) is increasingly becoming a global concern. This is proven by the increasing number of requests from halal authorities in various countries to explore opportunities for collaboration on halal products with the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Most recently, through coordination with the Indonesian Embassy in Astana, the Halal institution Duma Muftiyat Kazakhstan invited BPJPH of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and PPIH of the Ministry of Industry as representatives of Indonesia at the International Halal Expo Almaty 2023 which was held on 15 to 16 September 2023. The Head of BPJPH and the head of PPIH were also invited as speakers for a seminar with the theme "Halal Product Assurance System and Halal Industry Development in Indonesia and Kazakhstan".

Attending the invitation to the seminar, the Head of BPJPH, Muhammad Aqil Irham, and the Head of the PPIH of the Ministry of Industry, M Ari Kurnia Taufik.

Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Khazakhstan and the Republic of Tajikistan Mochamad Fadjroel Rachman said that it is hoped that BPJPH's participation in the Halal Expo Almaty 2023 will continue with the establishment of cooperation on halal products from Indonesia and Khazakhstan. This synergy is planned to begin with a G-to-G cooperation agreement between the two countries.

"We are also working on an MoU between the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Khazakstan Ministry of Communication and Information so that it can be signed immediately." said Fadjroel Rachman at the Atakent Exhibition Center Almaty, Saturday (16/9/2023).

"This will really help the development of Indonesian halal products to enter Kazakhstan." he added.

The Head of BPJPH Muhammad Aqil Irham said, although relations between Indonesia and Khazakstan are very good, the participation of BPJPH and PPIH is important. "This is important, considering the huge potential of the two countries to strengthen the synergy through cooperation in the field of Halal Product Assurance." said Aqil Irham.

"For this reason, through this forum we are socializing the regulations and policies for Halal Product Assurance in Indonesia, including the obligation for halal certification by 2024, as well as opportunities for cooperation in recognizing halal certificates." Aqil continued to add.

Furthermore, Aqil said that Indonesia's participation in the International Halal Expo Almaty 2023, apart from socializing the Halal Product Assurance regulations, was also an excellent opportunity for Indonesia to introduce more Indonesian halal products to the international world.

Previously, at the opening event, the Grand Mufti of Kazakhstan, Nauryzbai Kazhy Taganuly, said that Halal Expo Almaty provided an opportunity for companies from anywhere to promote their halal products.

"This Expo will allow companies to showcase their goods and services, introduce various halal products, enter into cooperation agreements with manufacturers, and receive new information about halal.” said Nauryzbai Kazhy Taganuly, Supreme Mufti, Chairman of the Muslim Spiritual Administration of Kazakhstan at the opening ceremony. []