The province of East Java (Jatim) is targeting a wider overseas market for marketing halal food products. So far, the foreign market response is considered quite good for halal food products from East Java. "The halal market trade in Japan has increased by 60%, Australia also needs a lot of halal food products from East Java," said Head of the East Java Province Industry and Trade Office, Drajat Irawan, Thursday (21/9/2022). On Wednesday (20/9/2022), the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, when opening the East Java Halal Agro-Industry Festival, also released exports of 5.8 tons of halal snack products from PT Manohara Asri to Jordan. In addition, there was a release of 4.8 tons of halal biscuit products from PT Mega Global Food Industry with the aim of going to Saudi Arabia.
Considering that foreign markets are still so wide, she views the importance of standardizing halal products. "Because I believe that standardized products can increase product value and productivity. This is what strengthens the halal product ecosystem," she said. Head of ISNU East Java Mas'ud Said admitted that he had conducted training for thousands of its members as a companion to the process of halal products. "They come from various regions in East Java. They have undergone training since May 2022," he said. His party admitted that he had been asked directly by Governor Khofifah to strengthen its role in the people's economy and encourage East Java as a center for halal products in Indonesia. "We have a halal solution agency that accompanies small traders and micro-enterprises, to food and beverage sellers. This institution also strengthens marketing, licensing and product standards that are more qualified and competitive," he explained.
