@ Halal | January-February . 2024

Collaboration between ISEF and HEI 2023 strengthens the acceleration of Indonesian halal industry in the international market

BY FATIHAH MANAF

Staying true to its mission to become the global halal hub , the country hosted the 10th Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival ( ISEF ) at the Jakarta Convention Centre from October 25 to 29 , 2023 , with the theme “ Accelerating Sharia Economy and Finance through Digitalisation for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth ”.

Indonesia ’ s Vice President Ma ’ ruf Amin officiated the event , which featured 793 local exhibitors and 20 from neighbouring countries . ISEF 2023 also witnessed the launch of the Indonesian Halal Industry Master Plan ( MPIHI ) 2023 - 2029 and the Satu Wakaf Indonesia application .

ENHANCING SHARIAH ECONOMY LITERACY

Ma ’ ruf , in his remarks , commended the organisation of ISEF , an annual event aimed at boosting literacy and market presence in Indonesia ’ s Shariah economy and finance . He highlighted the existing deficiency in Shariah ’ s economy and financial literacy , currently at 23.3 per cent . This low literacy level is reflected in the modest 10.9 per cent market share of the new Shariah financial market .

Ma ’ ruf emphasised the potential for continuous growth and development in Indonesia ’ s Shariah economy and finance , envisioning a minimum literacy rate of 50 per cent . Improving literacy in this sector would undoubtedly have significant implications for its contribution to the national economy .

“ The greater the literacy of Shariah financial and economy , the greater the acceptance and utilisation of Shariah economic and financial products by the community , which will lead to an increase in the contribution of this sector to the national economy ,” he elaborated .

In his speech during the opening ceremony , the Governor of Bank Indonesia , Perry Warjiyo , noted the decade-long collaborative effort reflected in the ISEF event . These achievements include the establishment of an integrated and digitised ecosystem for Islamic financial economics in Indonesia , strengthening institutions and regulations for developing Shariah finance at both national and regional levels , and enhanced leadership representation in various international forums .

COLLABORATING WITH HEI

ISEF joined forces with Halal Expo Indonesia ( HEI ) in this collaborative event to establish itself as Indonesia ’ s largest Business to Business ( B2B ) and Business to Consumers ( B2C ) expo . The event featured engaging activities , including international conferences , business

matchmaking , forums , and particular agendas .

Spanning an impressive 3,500 m2 in hall A , HEI showcased approximately 120 exhibition stands , featuring both local and international business players from countries such as Malaysia , Cambodia , Belarus , China , India , Egypt , Iran , Ethiopia , Saudi Arabia , Sri Lanka , the US , Jordan , Japan , Turkey , and Palestine .

The ISEF – HEI 2023 collaboration was a strategic initiative to reinforce Indonesia ’ s halal industry acceleration in the international market . The accompanying conferences covered pivotal topics , addressing the opportunities and challenges encountered by the industry .

At HEI , a memorandum of understanding ( MoU ) signing regarding product registration , import , and distribution took place between the Malaysian company PT Halagel Idaman Makmur , a halal product manufacturer producing toothpaste and halal gelatine-based soft gel supplements , and Agym Nutrition Sdn Bhd , a company specialising in energy supplements for sports and fitness enthusiasts .

This collaboration was witnessed by the Chairman of the Malaysian International Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( MIICCI ), Muhamad Amin Fahmi Solahuddin , and the Chairman of the Indonesian Muslim Entrepreneurs Community ( KPMI ), Rachmat Sutarnas Marpaung .

Halagel has been distributing its products in Indonesia through PT HIM since 2019 , with activities temporarily halted during the pandemic . Currently , Halagel is in the process of reactivating its distribution in Indonesia , which is scheduled to commence in early 2024 . –

During the opening ceremony of ISEF 2023 .

ISEF 2023 was held at the Jakarta Convention Centre .

Afdhal Aliasar

DURING the 10th Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival ( ISEF ), the Indonesian Halal Industry Master Plan ( MPIHI ) 2023-2029 and the Satu Wakaf �n��ne�ia a��lica�i�n �ere �fficiall� la�nche�� MPIHI acts as a standard guide for the growth of Indonesia ’ s halal industry , aligning with the vision �f �n��ne�ia a� a lea�in� �l��al halal �r���cer� The Satu Wakaf Indonesia application aims to integrate and collaborate nationally on platforms involving �ari��� �a�f an� �a�a� in��i���i�n� in �n��ne�ia� Thi� integration seeks to engage a broader audience , facilitating the mobilisation of funds and assets �hile �r����in� ����aina�le incl��i�n�

A FIVE-YEAR PLAN

The �irec��r �f �alal �r���c�� �n����r�� �a�i�nal Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance Development , Republic of Indonesia ( KNEKS ), Afdhal Aliasar , said MPIHI would conclude the roadmap for Indonesia to develop its halal industry f�r �he ne�� fi�e �ear��

�Thi� �a��er �lan i� cr�cial f�r �n��ne�ia �eca��e we are trying to synchronise the government ’ s development program with the halal industry master �lan� �� ai�� �� incl��e ini�ia�i�e� �� �ec��e �he global halal producer in Indonesia ’ s development �lan�

�Theref�re� i� �ill �e i��le�en�e� �� all �he ministries , and all the municipal provinces in Indonesia can participate in developing the halal in����r�� Thi� re�ec�� a fir� c���i��en� fr�� the government and provides the opportunity for �r��ince� �� c�lla��ra�e �i�h all ��a�eh�l�er���

Afdhal said the MPIHI is divided into two major ca�e��rie�� The fir�� ca�e��r� enc���a��e� �he halal industry , which includes food , beverages , pharmaceuticals , cosmetics , and healthcare �r���c���

The�e �r���c�� are �irec�l� c�n���e� �� c�n���er�� The �ec�n� ca�e��r� c���ri�e� e�er�in� sectors such as Muslim travel , modest fashion , and crea�i�e in����rie� li�e �e�ia an� �i�i�al� �f�hal emphasised the need to address each category �e�ara�el� an� i��le�en� ��ecific �r��ra��e� �ail�re� �� �he �e�el���en� �f each �f �he��

THE ROLE OF KNEKS IN INDONESIA ’ S HALAL DEVELOPMENT

“ KNEKS is the catalyst for the development of �he ��la�ic ec�n��� in �n��ne�ia� �� �e �n��� Indonesia has a very large population of Muslim consumers who need halal foods and other halal �r���c��� ��ch a� ���e�� fa�hi�n�

“ Considering the economic aspect of our customers , they require protection and seek to c�n���e halal �r���c���

�Thi� nece��i�� e��ha�i�e� �he nee� �� �e�el�� �he ��la�ic ec�n��� in �n��ne�ia�� �ai� �f�hal�

Afdhal mentioned that KNEKS plays a vital role in catalysing collaborations between the ministries in �n��ne�ia� �e e��ha�i�e� �ha� �he� ha�e �� �ini��er� under KNEKS ’ s umbrella , working together to drive ��la�ic ec�n��ic �e�el���en�� �ach �ini��r� ha� i�� programme , and these programmes collaborate to ��il� �he ec�n���� �f�hal �ai� �he ai� �a� �� �e�el�� Indonesia ’ s economy and enhance Maslahah for �n��ne�ia an� �he �l��al c�n���er� �f halal �r���c���