Industry Minister optimistic exports to Egypt to grow 20 pct

Posted in: Indonesia, Middle East & Africa
Jakarta - Industry Minister MS Hidayat has predicted that Indonesia`s non-oil/non-gas exports to Egypt will grow by around 20 percent this year. "Our main exports to Egypt include furniture, `halal` food and beverages, as well as electronic goods which we are now trying to produce in greater volumes," he said.

Halal certification group under fire

Posted in: Indonesia, Oceania, Halal Integrity
An Islamic group seeking to offer New Zealand businesses a "globally recognised" halal certification is being criticised by the NZ Federation of Islamic Associations, which says the Southeast Asian organisation does not have the resources to do inspections here.

Reza Khedmati, director of Al-Rasoul Halal Certification, said the company had been set up to offer New Zealand exporters an "internationally accepted halal certification" as a result of problems encountered with Islamic countries.


Most local food not officially halal: MUI

Posted in: Indonesia, Asia, Halal Integrity

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) says the majority of food products circulating on the Indonesian market have not passed official halal certification.

“Of around 30,000 food products circulating in Indonesia, around 80 percent do not have an official halal certificate,” MUI Food and Drug Analysis Agency (LPPOM MUI) director Lukmanul Hakim said as quoted by detik.com at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday.


ASEAN-6 zero tariffs take effect immediately

Posted in: Indonesia, Regional News
Tariffs on 7,881 goods traded between six ASEAN founding nations were lifted Friday, signaling better economic prospects for producers and consumers alike.

World Halal Business and Food Expo Held in Jakarta

Posted in: Asia, Media & Events, Indonesia
JAKARTA - The Food, Drug and Cosmetics Study Institute at the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) and PT Puteri Cahaya Kharisma (Performax) will hold a world halal summit and  halal business and food expo here on July 23-25, 2010.