VP Ma’ruf Amin Calls on Sharia Economic, Financial Actors to Strengthen International Cooperation

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin opens the 2022 International Halal Congress, Bangka Belitung Island province, Tuesday (06/14). (Photo by: Vice Presidential Secretariat BPMI)

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin Tuesday (06/14) has urged Indonesian sharia economic and financial actors to strengthen international cooperation so it can improve the country’s halal products competitiveness in the global market.

“Be it in the development of the halal industry, halal tourism, or other halal businesses,” the Vice President said at the Opening of the 2022 International Halal Congress at Novotel Hotel and Convention Center, Pangkalan Baru, Bangka Belitung Islands province.

Citing the 2021 Islamic Financial and Economic Report of central bank Bank Indonesia, the Vice President stated that the share of priority sectors in halal economic chain of Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased to 25.4 percent, with the highest contribution from agricultural sector, halal food, Muslim-friendly tourism, and Muslim fashion.

“We must maintain and utilize this momentum so we can realize Indonesia’s target of becoming the center of the world’s halal industry by 2024,” he said, adding that synergies and collaborations between the country’s sharia economy and finance stakeholders must continue to be strengthened.

On the occasion, the Vice President also underscored the importance of halal product certification to boost competitiveness of Indonesian products to other countries, especially members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“The mandatory halal certification will also provide added value in the halal supply chain, thereby increasing the competitiveness of Indonesian product exports, especially to OIC countries,” he remarked. (BPMI Vice Presidential Secretariat/UN) (GWH/MUR)