Indonesia has reached a significant milestone with 5.3 million products now halal-certified, according to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. He noted that this achievement has helped the country climb to third place in the 2023 State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) Report, improving from fourth position the previous year.
The minister pointed out that the halal certification process has been significantly streamlined, with the timeframe reduced from up to 10 months to just 21 days. This development reflects the country’s progress in enhancing its halal product assurance system.
Qoumas attributed this advancement to technological innovation, which he said plays a critical role in boosting both the quality and quantity of halal-certified products. He highlighted that integrating technology into the certification process supports responsible production and consumption while aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He also emphasized the importance of traceability to provide stakeholders with accessible farm-to-fork information, ensuring transparency and accountability. Qoumas called for collaboration among stakeholders, particularly international halal institutions, to develop and implement digital solutions.
He added that President Joko Widodo has encouraged the use of digitalization to address challenges and seize opportunities in the halal industry.
