Walkot Bobby Nasution Intensifies MSME Socialization In Medan Mandatory To Include Halal Label

Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution (left) is checking the halal labels of products marketed by modern markets in Medan/Via ANTARA

MEDAN - Mayor of Medan, North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution intensified socialization so that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) put halal labels on products produced in this area.

"Apart from an effort to improve quality, the purpose of halal labeling is also to ensure a product is feasible and safe for consumption," Bobby said in Medan as quoted by Antara, Sunday, June 26.

The inclusion of halal labeling is a form of government protection for consumers, so that MSMEs are more advanced and develop in the future.

Data from the Medan City SME Cooperatives Office states that the number of MSMEs in this area is 27,753 units, consisting of 22,213 micro-enterprises, 5,447 small-scale businesses, and 103 medium-sized businesses.

"With this halal certification, consumers will certainly be calmer in consuming a product produced by MSME actors," said Bobby.

Meanwhile, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of North Sumatra, Wahyu Ario Pratomo, assessed that the Medan City Government's efforts were very appropriate because of the weakness of MSME products, especially culinary ones that did not have a halal label.

"Even though the halal label is clearly important to provide certainty for Muslims that the food they consume is in accordance with Islamic teachings. Moreover, the population of Medan City is mostly Muslim," he said.

With the Halal label, he explained, Medan City's MSME products have the opportunity to reach the global market, such as being exported to countries with a majority Muslim population, such as the Middle East. So far, halal food exports to Middle Eastern countries are still dominated by neighboring countries, including Malaysia and Thailand.

"Even though Thailand is not a Muslim-majority country, business people in Thailand can control the export of world food products because they already have a halal certificate," said Wahyu.