Tips for the Halal Industry to Capture the Potential of US $ 2 Trillion in the Global Market

Indonesia is not only the country with the largest Muslim population, but also the center of halal-labeled food, fashion and tourism. But, there is still a challenge to become the leader of the world's halal industry with a global trade value of more than US$2 trillion.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry, Eko Cahyanto, believes Indonesia has the opportunity to become a halal industry pioneer.

"Indonesia's potential to become a global halal industry leader is very possible. The key is the synergy of stakeholders," said Eko when met at the Halal Indo Expo 2025 press conference, at the Ministry of Industry, Jakarta (22/09/25).

Eko explained that the current halal thematic development is no longer just compliance with regulations. However, it has developed into part of a modern lifestyle that represents quality, safety and sustainable products.

According to Eko, the halal principle is present not only in consumer products, but also in the supply chain, services, and daily lifestyle. "This ecosystem provides added value to the industry, while strengthening the competitiveness of national products in the global market," he said.

Referring to Law Number 59 of 2024 concerning the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN), one of the policy directions for the development of the processing industry is to make Indonesia the center of the world halal industry.

From year to year, the contribution of the halal sector to the Indonesian economy continues to increase. In 2024, the halal industry contributed to economic growth of 5.03% with an export value of US$ 64 billion.

As of the second quarter of 2025, the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJH) has issued 654,518 halal certificates for UMKM products.

Facing the challenge

As a player in this industry, Okta Wirawan, owner of Almaz Fried Chicken, hopes that Indonesia can become the leader of the halal industry in the world because the potential is huge.

The problem is, in running his business, Okta still finds challenges, especially in taking care of halal certification. "The procedure is quite complicated because there are many processes to go through so it takes time," Okta told SUAR in Jakarta (22/9).

The long process of obtaining halal certification has made business people start to discourage it. In fact, halal certification is important as an identity for halal products in Indonesia.

So, Okta hopes that the government can simplify the process of obtaining halal certification to improve business competitiveness.

"The complex process of applying for halal certification and the lack of optimal socialization of the certification assistance program make it difficult for many UMKM ," said Okta.

In response, Eko said, there are two challenges that Indonesia still faces in developing the halal industry. First, Indonesian halal products must compete with products from non-Muslim countries that are starting to develop halal products. Second, there are not many products that have halal certification.

To face these challenges and realize the potential of the halal industry, according to Eko, synergy and coordination from various stakeholders are needed - from the government to the business world.

Eko explained that the factor that supports the halal industry in Indonesia is the largest Muslim population in the world. "This bonus must be utilized as well as possible," Eko said.

In addition, Indonesia has a diversity of products that are not only in food, but have also reached halal beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Therefore, the Ministry of Industry's Halal Industry Center prepares six main programs, ranging from technical policy preparation, infrastructure strengthening, human resource development, halal industry facilitation, promotion and cooperation, to supervision and control.

Halal Indo Expo 2025

Eko said, one of the Ministry of Industry's strategies to strengthen Indonesia's role in the global halal industry supply chain is to participate in the Halal Indonesia International Industry Expo 2025(Halal Indo Expo 2025) held at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD, Tangerang, Banten, on September 25-28, 2025.

The Halal Indo Expo 2025 event was held by the Ministry of Industry in collaboration with PT Dyandra Promosindo. With the theme"Experience the Diversity of Indonesia's Halal Industry: Shaping the Future of Global Halal Industry", this expo presents 128 industry players and associations from various sectors, ranging from food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, various, to halal industrial areas.

In addition, there are also opportunities to learn more about the halal industry through various interesting and interactive activities. Among them are halal tableware painting workshop, halal batik painting, non-alcoholic perfume concoction, make up class using halal cosmetics, bento cake decoration, and herbal medicine and spice tea concoction.

At Halal Indo Expo 2025 there was also the awarding of the Indonesia Halal Industry Awards (IHYA). This award is a form of appreciation given by the Ministry of Industry to stakeholders who have actively contributed to the development of the national halal industry over the past five years.

The award this time was given to large and small medium industrial companies - food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and traditional medicine, textile/apparel, and ceramics(tableware) sectors.

In addition to presenting superior halal products, the Ministry of Industry will also present the Industrial Festival 2025 as a forum for cross-sector collaboration in displaying innovation, creativity and national industrial achievements.

This is the second year of the festival. This emphasizes the consistency of the Ministry of Industry in presenting a space for interaction between the industrial world and the wider community - especially the younger generation.

Workers peel shallots at one of the halal-certified fried onion processing small industries in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Monday (22/9/2025). Photo: Antara/Basri Marzuki/rwa.

Meanwhile, President Director of PT Dyandra Promosindo, Daswar Marpaung, explained that Halal Indo Expo 2025 will be held in Hall 6 and 7 ICE BSD, presenting more than 300 exhibitors, including from abroad, such as Malaysia, the United States, China, Singapore, and Thailand.

"This year will be even more lively. Halal Indo Expo has become the attention of international participants, even entering the circle of world halal exhibitions which ended in Istanbul," he said.

Daswar mentioned a target of 15,000 visitors in the four days of the exhibition. To attract public interest, various programs have been prepared. Among others, the Halal Modest Fashion Show, Halal Connect Forum, talk shows on the theme of halal lifestyle, as well as education on halal tourism and halal industry regulations.