Jakarta (WNAM MONITORING): Around 5.3 million products have received halal certification, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said in a statement on Thursday.
“Indonesia has made significant progress in halal product assurance,” he stated, adding that the country’s rank in the State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) has improved.
Indonesia’s ranking in the 2023 SGIE Report improved to third from fourth.
Qoumas highlighted improvements in the halal certification process.
“It now takes only 21 days, compared to the previous process, which could take up to 10 months,” he added.
According to Qoumas, technological innovation is key to increasing both the quality and quantity of halal-certified products. It is also crucial for ensuring the sustainable implementation of halal product assurance.
“Through technological innovation, halal certification can support responsible production and consumption, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals,” he explained.
Qoumas emphasized that one important step toward this goal is implementing traceability principles, ensuring that farm-to-fork information is accessible to all stakeholders.
“As President Joko Widodo has directed, we must embrace digitalization to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities,” he said.
He also called on all stakeholders in halal product assurance, particularly foreign halal institutions, to collaborate and integrate services by developing and utilizing technological innovations.
