Malaysia and Indonesia are expected to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in June to promote trade in the halal sector between the two countries, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Its secretary-general, Nizar Ali, said the ministry’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) and the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) had been negotiating the MOC since mid-2012, and the draft was finalized in January.
“The draft of the MOC has already been finalized and any amendments must be discussed together with the BPJPH, Jakim, and the director of the Malaysian Halal Council,” he said in a statement.Nizar received an official visit to his office last Thursday from Jakim director-general Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff, who was accompanied by Malaysian Embassy religious counselor Muhammad Naqzrul Azraf Mohd Nazarludin.
Nizar said he hoped the Indonesia-Malaysia Halal MOC would be signed during Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s official visit to Malaysia in June.
Hakimah added that she hoped the management of the halal industry in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore would be more systematic compared to other countries, including those in Europe.
Meanwhile, BPJPH cooperation coordinator Fertiana Santy said halal industry players were eagerly awaiting the MOC.
“Mutual recognition of both countries’ halal certificates will also be implemented,” she added.
Malaysia and Indonesia are among the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries listed among the top 20 halal exporting countries in the OIC Halal Economy Report 2022.
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