Indonesian regional governments expand halal certification for MSMEs

Local governments in Indonesia are expanding support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to obtain halal certification to strengthen the regional halal industry.

In North Sumatra, Governor Bobby Nasution announced plans to increase the annual quota for free halal certification from 1,000 to at least 5,000 MSMEs starting in 2027. This initiative aims to address the significant gap in certification, as only approximately 100,000 out of 1.4 million MSMEs in the province currently hold halal certificates.

In Semarang, the city government is facilitating certification for local MSMEs in the batik, craft, and culinary sectors. This effort is part of a strategic move to prepare the local halal ecosystem ahead of the XXXI National Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur'an (MTQ) scheduled for September 2026. The program includes assistance with product verification and documentation to ensure local products meet national standards.