Indonesia, Saudi Arabia Bolster Halal Product Asurance Cooperation

RRI.CO.ID, Mecca - The Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) has established strategic cooperation with the Saudi Halal Center (SHC) to strengthen the halal assurance and product quality system between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

The cooperation was marked by the signing of an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding by BPJPH Head, Ahmad Haikal Hasan and SHC CEO Abdulaziz Alrushodi.

The signing took place during the Opening Ceremony of the Makkah Halal Forum at Makkah Chamber Exhibition & Events Center on February 15, 2026. It was witnessed by Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, President of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority Hisham S. Aljadhey, Chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development Abdullah bin Saleh Kamel, along with halal authorities, accreditation bodies, and industry representatives from various countries.

In a press release received in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Ahmad Haikal Hasan, said the strengthened partnership reflects the two countries’ long-term commitment to building an integrated, high-standard global halal governance system.

“This cooperation strengthens the foundation of both countries’ halal systems through harmonized mechanisms, digital transformation, and institutional capacity building. Indonesia views Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner in building a credible, transparent, and interconnected global halal ecosystem,” he said at the forum.

He added that the cooperation is grounded in applicable regulations, providing legal certainty for businesses and consumer protection.

“With this synergy, BPJPH ensures halal assurance cooperation runs according to regulations, provides legal certainty for businesses and protection for consumers, and is carried out on mutually beneficial principles,” he affirmed.

The strengthened cooperation follows a memorandum signed in Riyadh on October 19, 2023. Through the amendment to the mutual recognition arrangement, the Saudi Halal Center under the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, is recognized as a foreign halal certification body and partner of BPJPH in cross-border certification recognition.

The cooperation includes digital system integration through data exchange to improve efficiency and simplify procedures. It also regulates the use of Saudi Arabia’s Global Halal Logo with a QR code. Products entering Indonesia must still display the Indonesian Halal Label, while products entering Saudi Arabia follow local regulations.

The amendment will remain valid for five years and will be automatically extended upon mutual agreement.