Over the past two years, plant-based food consumption has grown by 49% across the EU, reaching a total sales volume of €3.6 billion.
Malaysia and Indonesia aim to strengthen cooperation in halal certification
2025-05-15
JAKARTA (ANTARA NEWS) – Malaysia aims to further align with Indonesia in halal certification, considering the significant potential of its food and dairy industries, according to Malaysia's Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato' Seri Mohamad. "Although negotiations have entered the final stages, 100% compliance has not yet been achieved," Minister Mohamad said in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) East Asia 2015 here on Monday. By collaborating with Indonesia, Malaysia also aims to become a leading provider of halal certification.
Mohamad acknowledged that there are some obstacles hindering Malaysian halal cooperation with Indonesia, one of which is concerns about halal labeling. "There are still some issues with the acceptance of Malaysian halal certificates in Indonesia, and vice versa, and this must be resolved through halal standardization," he affirmed. Beyond halal certification, Malaysia is also committed to increasing investment in Indonesia across various sectors, including banking services, infrastructure, telecommunications, and plantations. Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Indonesia reached US$20 billion as recently as 2013, but declined slightly in 2014. Regarding trade cooperation, Minister Mohamad met with Indonesian Trade Minister Bharti Gobel to discuss commodities such as palm, rubber, and cocoa produced by the two countries. "We have agreed to conduct a ministerial meeting of four or five relevant ministers to discuss economics and trade," he said.
The World Economic Forum on East Asia, held from April 19 to 21 under the theme "Anchoring Trust in a New Regionalism in East Asia," highlighted three key pillars: the New Regional Context, the New Economic Context, and the New Civic Context. Over 700 participants, representing businesses, the public sector, science, the arts, civil society, and international organizations, convened at the Forum.