ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Government of Indonesia, through the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), has officially initiated negotiations with Russia to implement electronic quality certificates (E-Cert) aimed at streamlining Indonesian fish exports to international markets, particularly Russia and member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).
This strategic step is expected to facilitate business operations for stakeholders in Indonesia’s marine and fisheries sector.
Ishartini, Head of the Agency for the Control and Surveillance of Marine and Fisheries Product Quality, explained that her agency is currently negotiating with Russia’s competent authority, Rosselkhoznadzor, to establish digital certification systems.
“To make it easier for businesses to export fish to Russia and EEU member states, we have initiated a collaboration on the electronic transmission of quality certificates (Health Certificates/HC). The data exchange will be conducted digitally between Indonesia and Russia,” Ishartini said in an official statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
This cooperation is expected to speed up the unloading process of fishery product consignments at destination ports. As a result, Indonesian fish products can enter the Russian and EEU markets more quickly, enhancing export competitiveness and operational efficiency.
Part of a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA)
The planned E-Cert collaboration between the Agency for the Control and Surveillance of Marine and Fisheries Product Quality and Rosselkhoznadzor is part of a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), which aims to harmonize standards on fish product quality assurance and safety systems between Indonesia and Russia.
The scope of cooperation includes: Harmonization of fish product quality and safety assurance systems, Joint pre-border inspections, Registration of companies in both countries, Capacity building for human resources, and Risk-based quality testing.
“The MRA serves as the legal framework for implementing E-Cert bilaterally. We are also involving the Indonesia National Single Window (INSW) as the electronic data exchange platform with Russia’s system,” Ishartini elaborated.
According to Indonesia’s Fisheries Law, all fishery products intended for human consumption must be accompanied by a Health Certificate (HC) to ensure that the products have been processed in compliance with established quality, sanitation, hygiene, and food safety standards.
The ongoing discussion on the E-Cert partnership with Russia will open new opportunities to diversify export destinations to EEU countries. This is especially beneficial amid the current uncertainties of global trade tensions.
Previously, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono reaffirmed that Indonesian fishery products exported globally have undergone strict quality assurance processes throughout the production chain, in line with international standards.
For the record, the Agency for the Control and Surveillance of Marine and Fisheries Product Quality serves as Indonesia’s Competent Authority (CA), ensuring the consistent implementation of SJMKHP for all Indonesian fishery products entering global markets. (AT Network)
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