RRI.COID, akarta - The governments of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have initiated high-level talks to strengthen bilateral cooperation in Halal Product Assurance (JPH) to consolidate their roles at the forefront of the global Islamic economy.

The diplomatic push was highlighted following a strategic meeting between Head of Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Organizing Body (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, and the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia, Faisal Abdullah Al-Amudi, at the Saudi Embassy in Jakarta. The discussions targeted the optimization of trade flows, reciprocal certification recognitions, and the expansion of investment opportunities within an increasingly competitive global market.

Reflecting on the 76-year history of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations, Hasan emphasized that their shared historical ties place them in a prime position to dictate the direction of the modern halal industry.

“Indonesia and Saudi Arabia share an excellent and historic relationship. This meeting is vital to further tighten cooperation between our two countries, particularly in developing the halal product economy and trade, which has captured global attention with an exponentially growing valuation,” Hasan said on Monday, May 18, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The framework for this expanding economic synergy is anchored in existing foundational agreements. BPJPH has already formalized key cross-border partnerships, notably signing mutual cooperation treaties with the Saudi Halal Center (SHC) and the Gulf Cooperation Council Accreditation Center (GAC).

Both nations aim to build a highly digitized, modern, and mutually trusted halal ecosystem. For Indonesia, this serves as a critical pillar for national economic transformation, directly accelerating the competitiveness and acceptance of Indonesian-made products across Middle Eastern and global supply chains.

Ambassador Faisal Abdullah Al-Amudi warmly received the proposals for heightened cooperation, reaffirming that Indonesia remains a top-tier strategic ally for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Ambassador noted that the formal dialogue reinforces a joint commitment to maintaining open lines of communication and strict technical coordination. By synchronizing their national halal frameworks, both countries expect to significantly reduce administrative barriers in import-export activities, expand corporate investment pipelines, and solidify their combined authority within the multi-billion dollar global halal industry ecosystem. ***