Indonesia Targets US$500 Billion in Intra-D-8 Trade Through Halal Economy

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian Government is targeting intra-trade among Developing-8 (D-8) member countries to reach US$500 billion by 2030 by strengthening various cooperation mechanisms, including the development of the halal economy as one of its key strategies. Indonesia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anis Matta, said the target is being pursued through the gradual completion and stabilization of various cooperation instruments and systems among D-8 member states.

“We are gradually finalizing and strengthening the system, particularly because we have set a target of increasing intra-D-8 trade to US$500 billion. At present, intra-D-8 trade has already exceeded US$150–160 billion. I believe this represents an important milestone,” Anis said after opening the D-8 Halal Expo Indonesia 2026 in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

He explained that the nine D-8 member countries have a combined population of around 1.3 billion people and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately US$5.1 trillion. According to him, Indonesia has made the halal economy one of its strategic instruments to boost trade and economic cooperation among D-8 member states.

On the same occasion, Egyptian Ambassador to Indonesia, Yasser Hassan Farag Elshemy, said the halal sector is expected to become one of the main drivers of economic growth among D-8 member countries in the future. Based on Egypt’s estimates, the halal economy is projected to account for more than 45 percent of the member countries’ economies in the years ahead.

“I think this is a big portion of our economy in the future. According to our numbers, I think it will consume more than 45% of our economies in the future. Under the auspices of the D-8, all the member countries are working together now for implementing the D-8 agreement,” Yasser Hassan said.

He added that all D-8 member countries are currently working together to implement agreements reached within the framework of the organization in order to strengthen economic integration and trade. He said this optimism is reflected in the organization of the D-8 Halal Expo Indonesia 2026, which is expected to serve as a platform for businesses and governments from D-8 member countries to expand trade networks, investment, and cooperation in the halal industry.

The D-8 Halal Expo Indonesia 2026 is being held from July 8 to 12, 2026, at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium in Jakarta as part of Indonesia’s chairmanship of the D-8 for the 2026–2027 period. The exhibition features products from D-8 member countries, business matching sessions, panel discussions, and cultural performances aimed at strengthening trade and investment in the halal industry among participating countries.