December 15, 2021
Keynote Speech by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia at the Halal Dining ASEAN Forum 2021 (As translated)
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamualaikum Wr. Wb.,
Let me start my remarks with praises to the Almighty Allah SWT; because of His Blessing we can virtually join Halal Dining ASEAN Forum 2021. I wish to extend my great appreciation to KNEKS (National Committee for Sharia Economic & Finance) for inviting me to participate in this very rare occasion where we can share thoughts and experience on a specific issue.
Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world. According to data from the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration Ministry of Home Affairs, total number of Muslims in Indonesia counted 236.53 million people in June 2021 (86.88% of the population). Thus, there is a huge potential in developing the sharia & Halal industry including tourism and the creative economy sectors in this country. One of the sectors that can be developed is the Halal food industry.
According to State of The Global Economy Report, in 2019, Muslims spent a total of $1.17 trillion on Halal food worldwide. In addition, the food industry is the largest contributor to Indonesia's GDP in the creative economy sector with its value reaching IDR 455.44 trillion (43% of the total creative economy sector GDP in 2020). This is sound evidence of huge potential for the Halal food industry to be developed in the future.
Moreover, Halal food also has the potential to be part of extended services for Halal tourism. The large number of Muslim tourists visiting Indonesia who are mainly from Middle East Countries is a great opportunity to promote Indonesian Halal food. In 2014, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy declared 30 traditional Indonesian culinary icons which are the best representations of Indonesia's authentic food assets. These 30 icons were then narrowed down into 5 Indonesian Food Icons which are now highly promoted to foreign tourists; Soto, Rendang, Nasi Goreng, Sate and Gado-gado. All of them can represent Indonesian halal food since the ingredients of the authentic recipes are all Halal.
Indonesia has a wonderful and meaningful tagline to promote Indonesian food and cuisines, namely "Indonesia Spice Up the World", which shows the importance of spices in Indonesian cuisine. Indonesian cuisines are not only about the delicious taste, but also the history and culture behind the creation of the food. Most research found that exploring narratives related to the history and culture behind the creation of a particular food, will be more valuable for foreign tourists as they tend to provide a memorable experience for tourists that leads them to tell their friends about the food and Indonesia in particular.
We highly appreciate the collaboration between KNEKS and Mastercard-CrescentRating to launch The Mastercard-Crescent Rating Halal Food Lifestyle Indonesia 2021 Report, which reflects the Muslim-friendly tourism industry, especially Halal food. Hopefully, this report can promote the huge potential of Halal food in Indonesia and can be a new wave of national economic growth.
To conclude my remarks, I wish Halal Dining ASEAN Forum 2021 a great success. May Allah SWT bless our endeavors and I hope you and your loved ones are always safe and healthy.
Let’s rise up in difficult times, win against covid and together yes can do it!
Check out the Halal Food Lifestyle Indonesia Report 2021 here.
