Strengthen Bilateral Relations, BPJPH Signs LoI Halal Certification With US Institutions

After signing the halal cooperation, the Head of the Indonesian Halal Product Guarantee Administration (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, showed the agreed documents. (IST)

JAKARTA Head of the Indonesian Halal Product Guarantee Administration (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, signed a Letter of Agreement (Letter of Intent/LoI) with two Halal Certification Bodies (HCBs/LHLN) US: ISA Inc. dba Islamic Services of America and USA Halal Chamber of Commerce Inc., dba ISWA Halal Certification Department.

The signing of the LoI was carried out at the Embassy Office of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Washington, DC, witnessed by the Charge d'Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy, Sade Bimantara, agricultural attaches, trade attaches, and other Indonesian Embassy staff.

This LoI reflects a strong commitment to strengthening bilateral partnerships in the field of guaranteeing transparent, accountable, reliable, and trusted halal quality. "Strengthening this bilateral partnership is a strategic action in responding to the needs of the Indonesian people for high quality halal products, while strengthening Indonesia's position in global economic cooperation based on high added value, such as halal products," said Ahmad Haikal Hasan after signing LoI in Washington, DC, USA, May 20. Written statement received by VOI, May 22.

This LoI aims to strengthen the partnership and cooperation between BPJPH RI and LHLN AS. This agreement comes in line with the increasing demand for the Indonesian market for high-quality halal products, especially meat products and other consumer goods, as well as US capacity to meet this demand in accordance with the Indonesian Halal Product Guarantee Standard (SJPH).

With this LoI, the parties agreed to do several things, including: First, facilitate exports of halal certified products from the US to Indonesia, especially meat products and other products needed. Second, guarantee that all products exported to Indonesia are in accordance with the insurance standards for Indonesian halal products (SJPH).

Then the third, supports Indonesia's food security through diversification of global import sources. And fourth, increasing the economic growth of bilateral partnerships between Indonesia and the US. And fifth, developing a transparent, accountable, and credible halal certification mechanism.