KAN to Facilitate Halal Products Export to UAE

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – The National Accreditation Committee (KAN) and the National Standardization Agency (BSN) have signed a cooperation with the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) to facilitate Indonesia`s halal export to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Antara News reported.

Under the cooperation, halal certificate, issued by KAN`s accredited certification institution, would be recognized by ESMA based on UAE`s standard.

“With the signing of the agreement, KAN would provide accreditation to halal certification institutions for exporting products to UAE and monitor the institution to assure the integrity of the issued halal certificate,” head of the BSN who is also KAN`s chief, Bambang Prasetya, said here on Monday.

The MoU was signed by Prasetya and ESMA`s Director General Abdulla Abdelqader Al Maeeni.

Prasetya stated that one hindrance for Indonesian food products to enter UAE`s market is the requirement to get halal certificate issued by accredited certification agency recognized by ESMA.

Among the food products are biscuits, instant noodles, processed meat, confectionery, and jelly.

“The problem is in the different standards and procedures. This cooperation is expected to encourage Indonesian producers to expand their market to UAE; thus, it could increase our export value,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Abdulla expressed optimism that the cooperation would increase bilateral trade while harmonizing the standard for halal in the two countries.

“The cooperation would smooth the bilateral trade,” he added.

Currently, bilateral trade between Indonesia and UAE has reached US$2.2 billion and is targeted to increase to $3.7 billion.

Based on a survey of the Global Islamic Economic Gateway, the increased number of Muslims, which is expected to reach 20 percent of the total world population by 2020, is predicted to encourage halal trade. Halal trade has been seen as an opportunity for investment. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)