Sharia economics and finance have experienced rapid development in recent years along with the increasing Muslim population and awareness of using halal products. Based on data from the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion and Public Life, the world's Muslim population is estimated to reach 2.2 billion people or 26.5% of the world's total population in 2030. The increase in the Muslim population in the world will of course be accompanied by an increase in demand for halal products and services. Furthermore, according to The Global Islamic Economy Indicator 2022, in the overall global sharia economy, Indonesia is in 4th position below Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
"Based on these data, we can imagine the enormous potential of the sharia economy in the future. With all the potential it has, Indonesia should not only be a consumer, but can also become a center for world production of halal products," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto. attended virtually at the 2023 Top Halal Award, last Wednesday (18/10/2023), as quoted on the website of the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy.
Coordinating Minister Airlangga explained that the increasing demand for halal food is an opportunity for the national food and beverage industry.
Meanwhile, developments in Muslim fashion fashion trends must be utilized by the textile industry and national textile products through various product innovations and optimization of functional textiles. Likewise in the pharmaceutical industry and cosmetics industry, optimizing the use of Indonesia's unique biodiversity can be an added value.
Indonesia, with the largest Muslim population in the world, namely 236 million people or 12% of the world's entire Muslim population, has a large need for halal products, which can also be a driving force for the growth of the halal industry. "The halal industry development policy needs to include three main components, namely first, improving the quality of MSMEs with of course sharia financial financing. Second, the establishment of a National Halal Fund to support the halal industry and sharia products. And third, of course there must be areas specifically built for "halal-based industries and also to facilitate investment," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
The government has also encouraged the implementation of the development of the halal industry in Indonesia through the development of a Halal Value Chain that is integrated with the Halal Traceability System and Halal Assurance System. Starting from research and development, to production, distribution and sales and marketing to domestic and global markets. With the hope, Indonesia as part of the Global Halal Value Chain can pioneer a trusted Halal Traceability and Halal Assurance System.
Furthermore, Coordinating Minister Airlangga said that opportunities for halal industry in special areas could also be encouraged through the development of special areas in one location to accommodate all halal industries or the development of halal industrial clusters in existing special areas.
Currently, three Halal Industrial Zones have been built, namely in Banten Province, East Java and the Riau Islands, which could be the initial foundation for making Indonesia a global halal hub and increasing sharia-based industry in Indonesia.
Coordinating Minister Airlangga also appreciated the 2023 Top Halal Award which is expected to be able to spur enthusiasm and optimism among halal industry players in Indonesia to continue to innovate and develop for the domestic and global markets. "It is appropriate for the halal industry to become the basis of the economy. Not only Indonesia as a consumer, but as a producer for domestic and global markets," concluded Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
