Jakarta - State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir launched a program aimed at increasing the market share of Indonesian Halal products in countries such as Russia, Morocco, Sudan, Singapore, South Korea, China and Saudi Arabia through economic initiatives.

At the launch of the Islamic Economic Society's new logo and the National Santri Day commemoration in Jakarta on Friday, Erick Thohir said: 'To support international product development, the Islamic Economic Society has established service networks in several regions abroad.'

He said that he is currently also trying to establish MES networks in Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Brunei.

The minister said that cooperation between the Islamic industry and the government is also currently essential, because COVID-19 has had a major impact on all sectors.

Therefore, he believes economic balance must be maintained.

'Do not let big enterprises grow bigger while small enterprises grow smaller,' he warned.

He also thanked the President and Vice President for continuing to formulate excellent policies to ensure economic balance, including emphasizing job creation and the creation of new entrepreneurs.

Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin had earlier urged increasing exports of Indonesian Halal products to foreign countries, especially OIC member states.

'Indonesia's potential as a market for Halal products should be closely followed by efforts to improve the country's export performance abroad, especially exports to OIC member countries,' Amin said at the Indonesia Industrial Halal exhibition on Thursday.

According to the OIC's 2020 Economic Outlook, Indonesia is the world's fifth-largest exporter of Halal products.

Amin said: 'Indonesia is the fifth-largest exporter, at 9.3%; behind Saudi Arabia at 14.5%; Malaysia at 13.3%; the United Arab Emirates at 12.3%; and Turkey at 10.1%.'

In addition, Indonesia is the fourth-largest importer of Halal products (8.4%); behind the United Arab Emirates (12.2%); Turkey (12.1%); and Malaysia (11.8%).

'Therefore, Indonesia must work harder and strive to dominate the world Halal market, especially in the countries of the OIC,' he affirmed.

FAQ

What initiative has Indonesia launched to increase the international market share of its Halal products?
Indonesia's State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir launched a program aimed at increasing the market share of Indonesian Halal products in countries such as Russia, Morocco, Sudan, Singapore, South Korea, China and Saudi Arabia through economic initiatives. The Islamic Economic Society (MES) has established service networks in several regions abroad and is trying to establish networks in Pakistan, the UAE, Thailand and Brunei.
Where does Indonesia rank in global Halal product exports and imports?
According to the OIC's 2020 Economic Outlook, Indonesia is the world's fifth-largest exporter of Halal products (at 9.3%), behind Saudi Arabia (14.5%), Malaysia (13.3%), the UAE (12.3%) and Turkey (10.1%); it is also the fourth-largest importer (8.4%), behind the UAE (12.2%), Turkey (12.1%) and Malaysia (11.8%).