Following Up On The MoU, The Ministry Of Religion Will Immediately Assess The First Halal Institution From Overseas Chile

The Ministry of Religion's Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) during a meeting with the Chilean Ambassador/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) will immediately conduct an assessment of the Foreign Halal Institution (LHLN) in the Republic of Chile, which is scheduled to be held before the G20 summit.

"We will arrange a schedule to conduct an assessment to Chile. If possible, before the G20. That means, before November 2020. Of course, after the LHLN from Chile completes the required documents," said Head of BPJPH Aqil Irham during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to Indonesia Gustavo Ayares Ossandon in Jakarta, Antara, Friday, July 22.

This assessment of foreign halal institutions is a follow-up to the agreement (MOU) on halal product guarantees that was signed by two countries in November 2020. Chile was the first country to sign an MoU with BPJPH.

Currently, two Chilean LHLNs have applied for accreditation. The two institutions are the Centro Islamico de Chile (CICH) and the Halal Certification Center of Chile. However, BPJPH has not been able to continue the process for both, because there are still documents that have not been completed.

The MoU between Indonesia and Chile regarding the guarantee of halal products is valid for five years, which includes four agreements. First, mutual strengthening of knowledge about halal product quality assurance.

Second, assessing the conformity of the halal quality assurance process through mutual recognition and mutual acceptance of results. Third, mutual recognition of halal certificates issued by halal accreditation bodies recognized by each country.

Fourth, promotion and dissemination of information on halal accreditation, conformity assessment, commercial information, and other areas of mutual interest involving each government agency, public business entity, and private sector.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to Indonesia Gustavo Ayares admitted that his country is paying attention to cooperation in guaranteeing halal products. The note points from BPJPH will be followed up immediately in order to accelerate the accreditation of halal institutions in their country.

The Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religion.

"The plan is that the President of the Republic of Chile will meet with President Jokowi in Bangkok at the end of November 2022. One of the things that will be discussed is also related to halal. We thank you for this information. We will immediately follow up and remind the relevant institutions," said Gustavo.