Indonesia Should Seize Business Opportunity of Global Halal Industry

Jakarta, 15 Muharram 1438/16 October 2016 – Indonesia as the most populous Muslim country in the world should  take a role in the development of the halal industry which has become a global lifestyle phenomenon in the world.

“Indonesia should not only become a market,, instead should seize business opportunities of global halal industry which is now flexing its muscles and moving dynamically” said the expo committee chairman Sapta Winandar while opening the Indonesia International Halal Lifestyle Expo and Conference 2016  themed Global Trends and Business Opportunity, at Ciputra Artpreneur, Jakarta on Thursday (6/10).

Furthermore, he said, Indonesia could learn from the experience of other countries, such as Thailand and Korea in the development of the industry.

“Even though Muslims are a minority in both countries, their governments and stakeholders have committed to develop the halal industry,” he said.

Meanwhile, the founder of The Halal Science Center at the Chulalongkum University, Thailand, Winai Dahlan spoke about his experiences in Thailand in capturing the prevailing trends in the halal industry.

According to him, Thailand divides the development of the halal industry into four periods. The first period is termed Halal 1.0 in the year prior to 1949, a period when halal and haram determined by religious leaders.

Halal 2.0 (1949-1997), he added, halal status was determined by experts to issue the certificate. Halal 3.0 (1997-2016) must be lawful status through laboratory tested.

“And for the next halal 4.0 2017, I hope that the halal logo has become a second brand, and the halal certification already associated with other interests,” he hoped.

The conference, held on the first day of a series of activities in this event, drew a great interest from the public.

About 800 participants attended the event with various backgrounds,  ranging from business executives, religious leaders, to leaders of Islamic organizations, as well as students.  (L/P008/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)