Putrajaya (BPJPH) --- Indonesia and Malaysia have officially signed a cooperation on the recognition of halal certificates. The G-to-G synergy is marked by the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of Malaysia concerning mutual recognition of halal certificates for domestic products.

The signing was carried out in a series of meetings between the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo and the Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim which was held at the official residence of the Malaysian PM, in Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, Malaysia, Thursday (08/06/2023). The meeting discussed a number of cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia in various fields.

The MoC mutually acknowledged the recognition of halal products was signed by the Head of the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Body (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Muhammad Aqil Irham and the Director General of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) Datuk Hajah Hakimah Binti Mohd Yusoff, witnessed by President Jokowi and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

"Alhamdulillah, today, coinciding with President Jokowi's working visit to Malaysia, the Indonesian and Malaysian governments officially cooperate in recognizing halal certificates." said the head of BPJPH Muhammad Aqil Irham after signing the MoC in Putrajaya Malaysia, Thursday (6/8/2023).

"This is one of our steps forward in order to advance bilateral cooperation between the two countries to encourage the increasing trade of halal products and to increase the gain of the economic value of our halal products for the nation's economy." added Aqil.

With the existence of the MoC, the two countries through BPJPH and JAKIM agreed to encourage and promote technical cooperation in halal assessment procedures, halal accreditation, specification standards and technical regulations for issuing halal certificates. Also, mutual recognition of halal certificates issued by BPJPH and JAKIM for domestic products exported between the two countries.

"It is hoped that the mutual acceptance of halal certificates will facilitate trade cooperation activities, thereby increasing the volume and trade value of our halal products." Aqil continued.

In addition, cooperation is also carried out in increasing experience and knowledge in the fields of technology, human resources, infrastructure, and research and development (R&D), which are related to halal certification. Also, other areas of halal certification cooperation that will be mutually agreed upon by both parties.

Furthermore, Aqil told that the Indonesian government through BPJPH continues to support strengthening cooperation in halal products at the global level. This is because the Indonesian government has aspirations to make Indonesia the number one producer of halal products in the world. To realize these target, cooperation and synergy on halal product assurance is needed among all stakeholders at the global level.

"The important agreements in this MoC will strengthen the existing synergies, strengthen the halal ecosystem with which we can become an important player in the industry and global market for halal products," said Aqil.

"And of course we carry out this with full submission and compliance with applicable national regulations and policies." Aqil added.

The Indonesian delegation in the bilateral meeting were the Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Defence Affairs Mahfud MD, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, the Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, the Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia, the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, the Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah, the Head of BPJPH of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Muhammad Aqil Irham, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Malaysia Hermono. []