Singapore and Indonesia sign halal certification recognition pact

Singapore is the third country to sign such an agreement with Indonesia.

Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to mutually recognise each other's halal certifications, facilitating the trade of halal-certified products between the two countries.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said the Memorandum of Understanding in the Quality Assurance of Halal Products inked with  Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) "ensures that halal products are consistently certified to the highest standards, providing greater confidence in their authenticity and quality."

The MoU also ensures "a wider variety of halal products available to consumers," said Muis.

Masagos Zulkifli, minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs of Singapore, said Singapore is the third country after Saudi Arabia and Malaysia to sign the agreement before Indonesia's mandatory halal certification takes effect in October 2024.

"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," Zulkifli said.

"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," Zulkifli added.