SINGAPORE, Aug 9 — Singapore and Indonesia’s halal authorities have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the mutual recognition of each other’s halal certifications and logos.
The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore on Facebook said the MoU, signed yesterday, will come into force on Oct 17.
The agreement was signed by Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) chief executive Kadir Maideen and Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH) chairman Muhammad Aqil Irham.
It was witnessed by Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli and the Ambassador of Indonesia to Singapore Suryo Pratomo.
Muis said the MoU will facilitate trade of halal-certified products between Singapore and Indonesia, a significant step in strengthening the partnership between the halal certification authorities of both countries.
“This ensures that halal products are consistently certified to the highest standards, providing greater confidence in their authenticity and quality, as well as ensuring a wider variety of halal products available to consumers,” it said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Masagos stated that Singapore is the third country, following Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, to sign this agreement ahead of Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification, which is set to begin in October 2024.
He said with Indonesia being the largest Muslim-majority country and Singapore a global hub for trade and commerce, this collaboration will undoubtedly boost the halal market, expanding opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.
“This also signals an expansion of opportunities for our businesses, especially our food and additives manufacturers, to bring their products into Indonesia and avoid any trade disruptions,” he said on Facebook. — Bernama