Jakarta, Indonesia – Ahmad Haikal Hasan, head of the Indonesian Agency for the Supervision of Halal Products (BPJPH), has commended micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) for leveraging Halal certification to enhance their products' economic value and competitiveness, ultimately enabling them to penetrate global markets.

The BPJPH chief's remarks follow numerous success stories of Indonesian MSMEs whose products have gained access to foreign markets after obtaining Halal certification.

"I applaud our MSMEs for their unwavering dedication to business development and for positioning Halal certification as a unique selling point, thereby elevating the quality and competitiveness of their products and facilitating their entry into international markets," said Hasan.

He emphasized that Halal certification has become a pivotal factor in strengthening Indonesia's halal product exports, contributing positively to the national economy.

Several entrepreneurs have attested to the benefits of Halal certification. Hari Mastutik, an MSME owner producing vegetable and fruit chips in Batu, East Java, shared that Halal certification has been instrumental in expanding her product's reach to overseas markets.

"Initially, I started this business as a hobby, but with God's will, anything is possible. My products are now being exported to several countries, and Halal certification is indeed a requirement for entering these markets, such as Singapore," said Tutik.

Tutik recounted an instance where a potential export destination rejected her products due to the lack of Halal certification.

She has also set an exemplary standard for other MSMEs in consistently maintaining the halal status of her products.

"I am very particular about cleanliness, especially during the production process, to ensure the quality of the products we ship. We are currently preparing a 15,000-pack container for buyers in France and the United Arab Emirates. If it doesn't meet their standards, they won't come back," explained the 64-year-old entrepreneur.

Elis, a Bali-based producer of tuna satay, shared a similar experience. She mentioned that Halal certification has significantly boosted consumer trust in her products and expanded her market reach.

"Alhamdulillah, after obtaining Halal certification, our sales have increased, and our products are now available throughout Indonesia and even in Singapore," Elis said.