December 15, 2021

Keynote speech by the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Halal Dining ASEAN Forum 2021 (As translated)

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

The honorable Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Executive Director of KNEKS, along with the Board of Directors and Secretariat of KNEKS, CEO of Crescent Rating, Country Manager of Mastercard Indonesia, Secretary-General of the Sharia Economic Community, and invited guests.

Let us say praise and gratitude to Allah SWT, for all the blessings bestowed upon us so that we can attend this important event. I appreciate the collaboration in organizing this event, especially between Mastercard, Crescent Rating, and KNEKS. The initiative to launch The Mastercard- Crescent Rating Halal Food Lifestyle Indonesia Report in 2021, will further enrich the wealth of information about the halal food industry in Indonesia.

Ladies and gentlemen, food is everyone's basic need. More than that, food is a cultural element of a nation that has great power. Food is a national identity. Food can unite. Food has even become a diplomatic tool in international relations to promote cooperation, tourism, and trade. Our nation is blessed with extraordinary culinary wealth. We must continue to explore and optimize the potential of our culinary industry, in this case, especially halal culinary. We believe, Insya Allah, we can be the largest halal food producer. Moreover, we are supported by a rich variety of exotic spices.

Ladies and gentlemen, the development of a strong and sustainable halal product industry ecosystem requires us to strengthen branding, literacy, human resources, research and innovation, technological infrastructure, and regulations. Everything must be synergized to create a halal supply chain, from raw materials to halal products to consumers. The development of a halal food ecosystem also needs to pay attention to the changes in consumer behavior. For example, after the Covid-19 pandemic, we tend to choose healthy, clean, and hygienic food. These three characteristics can be associated with halal. This means that the potential market for halal food is for everyone, regardless of religion and belief.

People's consumption patterns are also influenced by the transformations in technology. Digitalization has succeeded in presenting on-demand applications that are increasingly pampering the community. Online transactions have become easier, from ordering, paying, to food delivery options. This trend brings new opportunities for business actors, including for halal food SMEs. However, halal food MSMEs still need support for better access and strengthening their competence to be able to compete extensively, even in the international market.

Ladies and gentlemen, the government through KNEKS continues to work with many parties to contribute to the development of a sustainable halal food ecosystem. First, to support the assistance and partnership of halal MSMEs, as well as to encourage innovation and research around the market movement, segmentation, and preferences.

Second, to increase the capacity of halal food MSME business players, especially by educating them on the use of e-commerce and social media to strengthen their branding. Cooperation between halal food MSMEs with other sectors also needs to be increased as a co-branding effort, especially with the halal tourism sector, as well as media and recreation.

Third, to accelerate halal certification for the Indonesian culinary industry and strengthen the supply chain of the halal food industry, such as raw materials, packaging, and marketing, transportation and logistics, as well as other supporting sectors. In the future, the government will continue to encourage the strengthening of various Islamic economic and financial policies, and ensure their implementation goes well.

Distinguished guests, closing this remark, I again remind you that cooperation and collaboration are the only way for us to deliver the best work to develop a sustainable Indonesian halal food industry ecosystem.

I hope that the good collaboration in organizing this event can be continued and strengthened, especially in actualizing Indonesia's vision as the center of the world's halal industry by 2024. May Allah SWT grant His mercy and bless all our efforts.

Wallahul muwaffiq ila aqwamith thariq, wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Hal ini saya tegaskan saat memberikan sambutan dalam acara "Halal Dining ASEAN Forum 2021 dan Peluncuran The Mastercard-Crescent Rating Halal Food Lifestyle Indonesia 2021 Report". [I emphasized this when giving a speech at the "Halal Dining ASEAN Forum 2021 and the Launch of Mastercard-Crescent Rating Halal Food Lifestyle Indonesia 2021 Report"]

— KH. Ma'ruf Amin (@Kiyai_MarufAmin) December 15, 2021

Check out the Halal Food Lifestyle Indonesia Report 2021 here.