MALAYSIA BOOSTS HALAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH INDONESIA AMID TWO-WAY TRADE GROWTH

JAKARTA, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian embassy together with the main agencies are working to strengthen the export of halal products to Indonesia, with bilateral trade between the two countries expected to reach US$25 billion (RM111.25 billion) to US$26 billion (RM115.7 billion) this year.

Speaking at the Customs Literacy Seminar Series 2/2024 at the embassy complex here on Tuesday, Ambassador Datuk Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin said total trade between the two countries was US$18.89 billion (RM84 billion) from January to September 2024.

He emphasised the importance of the procedure for the application of the Indonesian Drug and Food Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and the need for halal certification at the Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) as well as increasing the amount of trade between the two countries.

"This seminar can ensure compliance with Indonesian regulations covering food, drinks, cosmetics, medicines, cosmetics and other essential items that are included or distributed that have a halal certificate," said Syed Md Hasrin.

He suggested that Malaysian companies take advantage of the embassy's support to meet regulatory requirements and seize market opportunities in the republic.

Indonesia is ranked as having the seventh largest number of buyers of halal products in the world, based on a report by e-commerce platform Alibaba.com together with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in 2023.

“Indonesia ranks at the top in the Southeast Asian region. The countries that ranked first to sixth globally are the United States, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia," he said.

He believes that close cooperation between Malaysian agencies such as MATRADE, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department with Indonesia's BPOM and BPJPH will facilitate the certification process for Malaysian businesses.

-- BERNAMA