There Is Good News From BPJPH, Quota To Get Halal Certificate For UMK Reaches 25 Thousand This Year

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) has begun to open applications for free halal certification for MSEs, through the Sehati Program. This program is the collaborative result of the Ministry of Religion's BPJPH with a number of ministries, institutions, private agencies, digital platforms, banks, and local governments, both provincial and district/city.

"We will start the Sehati Program (Free Halal Certification) this March until December 2022. It is valid throughout the year. For MSEs who register will get priority. The Ministry of Religion provides a quota of 25,000 MSEs which will be facilitated for free this year, "said the Head of BPJPH, Muhammad Aqil Irham in Jakarta, Saturday 20 March.

Aqil said the quota of 25,000 was only used to facilitate MSEs who met the requirements to make an independent declaration of the halalness of their products, or known as halal-self-declare. To be able to self declare, the UMK must meet the requirements as stipulated in the BPJPH regulations.

"This year's BPJPH only facilitates MSEs that meet the self-declaration requirements. But don't worry, because MSEs can also get free financing facilitation from other ministries, regional government agencies, banks and private institutions. The amount is varied. As in 2021 there will be 112 institutions/facilitators who provide a budget for halal certification costs for MSEs. The total budget reaches Rp. 16.5 billion. Business actors who benefit are 7,160 MSEs," explained Aqil, seen from the official website of the Ministry of Religion.

Halal certification financing from other ministries/agencies is currently being consolidated with various parties. BPJPH has held roadshows to various parties to obtain support for financing facilitation for halal-certified MSEs.

The target for 2022 is 10 million halal products that can be certified halal.

"BPJPH is serious about communicating with the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, the Ministry of Finance, the Coordinating Ministry for SMEs, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), KNEKS, Kadin, business associations, governors, and also banks. We are currently on a roadshow to a number of provinces for friendship and hearings with governors, regents and mayors. The goal is to get concrete support from the regional government regarding the facilitation and financing of halal product certificates for MSEs," he concluded.