Minister of National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro delivers a keynote speech at the Nationsl Committee for Sharia Finance Forum in Jakarta on Tuesday (18/12/2018). (ANTARA News/Citro Atmoko) Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia is currently promoting the export of halal food and beverage products, which are sectors with rising potential, ready to be developed further to help improve national export performance and the current account balance.
Minister of National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro said that Indonesia holds great potential in halal tourism.
The country will prioritise the manufacturing sector for several products, one of them is food and beverages, Brodjonegoro noted.
He added that the food and beverage industry is the most prepared industry in terms of production capacity and export potential. In fact, a number of companies can even build their production factories outside of Indonesia.
However, in general, Indonesia is still a halal net importer. The minister voiced his hope that Indonesia could become a major producer of halal products and compete in the global trade arena in the time to come.
The country’s first step is to reduce imports and start to become a net exporter, Brodjonegoro explained.
Many of the potential export markets for Indonesia’s halal products are in Africa, with a continental population of one billion people. Of these, around 40 percent are Muslims. The population growth rate in Africa is also relatively high.
In addition to food and beverages, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products also have the potential to be exported to Africa.
Central Asia is also considered to have the potential to develop into a market for Indonesia’s halal products.
Brodjonegoro remarked that to reach these potential markets, the halal industry in Indonesia should focus on being more export-oriented.–VNA
VNA
