Indonesia Seeks Stronger Halal Ecosystem to Expand Global Reach

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is seeking to develop its halal ecosystem to generate higher added value, strengthen competitiveness, increase exports, and expand access to international markets, according to a senior official at the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).

"We want the halal ecosystem to not only develop domestically, but also to generate higher added value, stronger competitiveness, increased exports and broader access to international markets," said Bappenas director of sharia economics and state-owned enterprises Rosy Wediawaty at the Halal Start-Up Connect 2026 | Road to International Halal Summit in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by Antara.

Rosy said the development of the sharia economy is supported by several key priorities, including strengthening the halal industry and halal micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), developing the halal product ecosystem and exports, and strengthening Islamic finance.

She added that the sharia economy is growing rapidly amid accelerating digital transformation and the emergence of new business models across the halal value chain.

In this context, halal startups play an important role in developing innovative solutions, improving efficiency, expanding market access and connecting businesses with consumers throughout the halal ecosystem.

However, Rosy said innovation alone is not enough, as startups also need access to financial institutions, markets, technology, networks and strategic partnerships to grow their businesses.

"This is where Halal Startup Connect can make an important contribution. This platform aims to connect halal startups with investors, financial institutions, corporations and strategic partners," she said.

Rosy emphasized that the goal is to build a halal ecosystem that is innovative, productive, inclusive, competitive, and increasingly connected to global markets.

"I believe halal startups connected to Halal Startup Demo Day 2026 can become an important bridge between innovation and investment, startups and industry, the Indonesian halal ecosystem and the global halal economy," she said. ***