Indonesia, Australia sign strategic halal products MoU

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Australia have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) on halal product assurance (JPH) to strengthen bilateral cooperation and facilitate trade in halal-certified products between the two countries.

Head of Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) Ahmad Haikal Hasan said the agreement aims to facilitate and boost exports and imports of halal-certified products between Indonesia and Australia.

"Through stronger technical dialogue, capacity building, and information exchange, we can enhance confidence, support the development of the halal ecosystem, and expand market access for high-quality halal products in both countries," Hasan said in a press statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He noted that the cooperation would not only facilitate trade in halal products but also strengthen the harmonization of halal assurance systems between the two countries.

The partnership is also expected to enhance the confidence of businesses and consumers while promoting a more integrated and globally competitive halal ecosystem.

Under the MoU, BPJPH and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) agreed to strengthen cooperation on halal product assurance through consultations, information exchange, technical cooperation, the recognition of Australian Foreign Halal Institutions (LHLN) in accordance with BPJPH regulations, and measures to facilitate bilateral trade in halal products.

Hasan said the MoU establishes an official framework for cooperation covering information exchange, technical consultations, and capacity building in the field of halal product assurance.

Meanwhile, Australia's Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Assistant Minister for Immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite, said Indonesia is one of Australia's strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including for Australian food and agricultural products.

According to Thistlethwaite, the agreement will provide greater certainty for businesses in both countries, strengthen bilateral trade ties, and create broader opportunities for halal-certified products to enter each other's markets.

He added that the MoU supports two-way trade by strengthening cooperation on halal product assurance while reinforcing the two countries' economic partnership under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The cooperation also covers technology development, human resource capacity building, research and development, the strengthening of facilities and infrastructure, and regular communication to support the implementation of halal product assurance.

The agreement will remain in effect for five years from the date of signing and may be extended upon mutual agreement by both parties.

Related news: Indonesia, Australia boost halal trade ties, eye meat import surge

Related news: Indonesia's halal exports to Australia jump 13.5% in early 2025

Related news: Indonesia, Australia expand audit cooperation

Translator: Bayu Prasetyo

Editor: Azis Kurmala

Copyright © ANTARA 2026