Jakarta (BPJPH) --- The Halal-20 Halal World 2023 event produced important results in strengthening global cooperation on Halal Product Assurance or Jaminan Produk Halal (JPH). On the second day, the forum conducted the signing of a Mutual Recognition Agreement or MRA between the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the 37 Foreign Halal Institutions (LHLN). The signing of the MRA was carried out by the Head of BPJPH Muhammad Aqil Irham and the leaders of the 37 LHLNs.

"Alhamdulillah, the second day of the H-20 event today resulted in the signing of the MRA between BPJPH and the 37 LHLNs." Aqil said, in Jakarta, Saturday (18/11/2023).

"This is a real outcome of acceleration efforts to strengthen JPH international cooperation through the recognition of halal certificates." Aqil continued to explain.

The 37 signings consisted of an MRA between BPJPH and 9 LHLNs in terms of mutual recognition and acceptance of halal certificates, and an MRA between BPJPH and 28 LHLNs in an agreement to accelerate the completion of LHLN assessments for recognition and acceptance of halal certificates.

The nine LHLNs that have signed an MRA with BPJPH regarding recognition and mutual acceptance of halal certificates include, are:

1.Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) 2.Korean Halal Authority 3.Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) 4.Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association 5.The Central Islamic Council of Thailand 6.Halal Certification Center of Chile-Chilehalal 7.Halal Conformity Services 8.The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) 9.New Zealand Islamic Development Trust Ltd.

And the 28 LHLNs that have signed an MRA with BPJPH in an agreement to accelerate the completion of LHLN assessments for recognition and acceptance of halal certificates, are:

1.American Halal Foundation (AHF) 2.ISWA Halal Certification Department 3.Islamic Services of America ISA 4.Halal Transactions Inc./Halal Transaction of Omaha 5.Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of Canada 6.Halal Montreal Certification Authority Inc. 7.Global Australian Halal Certification 8.Islamic Co-Ordinating Council of Victoria 9.Australian Halal Authority and Advisers Pty.Ltd 10.National Halal Authority 11.Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat in Australia Inc 12.Australian Halal Development and Accreditation 13.Global Halal Trade Centre Pty.Ltd 14.National Halal Accreditation Services Australia Pty.Ltd. 15.FAMBRAS Halal Certification Ltd. 16.Japan Islamic Trust 17.Japan Moslem Association 18.Shaanxi Shang Pin Yuan Halal Food and Restaurant Management 19.Islamic Food Research Center 20.Shangdong Halal Certification Service 21.Al Baqara Certification 22.Halal Certification Services Chongqing 23.Juhf Certification Pvt.Ltd 24.Halal India Pvt.Ltd 25.Jamiat Ulama I-Hind Halal Trust 26.International Halal Certification Pvt.Ltd 27.Al-Waiz Certification and Training Services Pvt Ltd 28.South African National Halal Authority.

Apart from the 37 LHLNs, BPJPH also made commitments with 16 LHLNs regarding the completion of assessments and with 54 LHLNs which have submitted documents to the Sihalal application and are still in the process of verifying and completing the required documents.

"We hope that the results of this MRA will be immediately followed up and implemented, so that it will have positive implications for the global halal ecosystem." he added.

"In particular, we also have an interest in optimizing the economic value of industrial activities and trade in halal products for the recovery and strengthening of the national economy from niche halal product industries whose value is very promising." he concluded. []