Indonesia expands international halal recognition to three countries

  The Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) is expanding its international halal recognition by signing strategic agreements with halal institutions from three countries, namely the Philippines, Mexico, and China.

The head of BPJPH, Ahmad Haikal Hasan, in a statement on Monday, said this step affirms Indonesia's position as a key player in the global halal standards architecture and strengthens the compatibility of Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance (JPH) system in the international market.

"Cross-border recognition is important to facilitating the flow of halal products, providing business certainty, and expanding market access for industry players," he remarked.

The signings include Recognition Agreements (RAs) with four Foreign Halal Institutions (LHLN): China Halal Certification Shanghai Co., Ltd., Shenzhen One Gate Halal Centre, Halal Development Institute of the Philippines, Inc., and Aseguramiento Halal, S.A. de C.V.

According to him, such recognition is part of a strategy to strengthen the harmonization of Indonesian halal standards with various global trading regions.

"This collaboration demonstrates that Indonesia's halal standards are increasingly integrated into the global trade ecosystem," he pointed out.

He considered the RA as a strategic instrument for facilitating product access between countries through a credible and verified mutual recognition mechanism for certification.

Hasan noted that the recognition simplifies cross-border trade in halal products by eliminating the need for multiple certification procedures in each importing country.

This ultimately reduces costs, accelerates product distribution times, and increases industrial competitiveness, he continued.

With broader international recognition, BPJPH seeks to develop a halal trade system that is increasingly standardized, transparent, and integrated across countries.

Furthermore, strengthening this global recognition network reflects international market confidence in Indonesia's halal certification, expands the penetration of national product exports, and ultimately strengthens the competitiveness of the Indonesian halal industry on the international stage, he mentioned.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Ambassador and Consul General of the Philippine Embassy to Indonesia, Gonaranao B. Musor, said the mutual recognition reflects the two countries' commitment to strengthening halal trade cooperation within a government-to-government framework.

In addition, the Head of Foreign Affairs at the Mexican Embassy in Indonesia, Rodrigo Vazquez Ortega, described the collaboration as a tangible continuation of the bilateral ties established since 2024.

"This is a tangible impact of the cooperation between Indonesia and Mexico that began in 2024," Ortega said.