ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia and Australia have taken a new step to strengthen the implementation of the Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) through enhanced cooperation on halal product assurance, aimed at facilitating trade in certified halal products between the two countries.
The Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) and the Australian Embassy in Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on halal product assurance cooperation in Jakarta on Monday, July 13. The signing was witnessed by Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP.
The MoU was signed by BPJPH Head Dr Ahmad Haikal Hasan and Australian Chargé d’Affaires to Indonesia Gita Kamath, establishing a framework for technical dialogue, information exchange, and capacity building to strengthen the halal ecosystem in both countries.
“This MoU marks an important milestone in strengthening halal cooperation between Indonesia and Australia. Through deeper technical dialogue, capacity building, and information exchange, we can enhance consumer trust, support Indonesia’s halal ecosystem, and help high-quality halal products reach markets in both countries,” Ahmad Haikal Hasan said.
Indonesia is one of the world’s largest halal markets, with growing demand for halal-certified food, beverages, and consumer products. The country is also preparing for the implementation of mandatory halal certification for most food and beverage products, as well as several other consumer goods, starting on 18 October 2026.
The cooperation framework established through the MoU will support regulatory information sharing, technical discussions, and joint capacity development, helping create greater compatibility between halal assurance systems and supporting cross-border trade.
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite said Indonesia remains one of Australia’s closest economic partners and a key market for Australian food and agricultural exporters, particularly in sectors such as meat and dairy products.
“This MoU supports two-way trade by strengthening cooperation in halal product assurance while further advancing our economic partnership under IA-CEPA and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP),” Thistlethwaite said.
The halal cooperation represents a broader effort to maximize the benefits of IA-CEPA, which entered into force in 2020, by improving market access, strengthening product standards, and developing more resilient supply chains between Indonesia and Australia.
As global demand for halal products continues to grow, closer cooperation between Indonesia and Australia in this sector is expected to create new opportunities for businesses, strengthen bilateral trade, and enhance the role of both countries in the global halal economy. (AT Network)
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