MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution is pushing to expand the provincial government's free halal certification assistance program for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the current 1,000 to 5,000 businesses annually. He said the move is important to strengthen the halal ecosystem while increasing the competitiveness of locally produced goods from North Sumatra in both national and global markets.
Bobby made the proposal on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while attending the
Sumut Halal Fest 2026 at the rear parking area of the North Sumatra Governor's Office. He pointed out that the coverage of
halal certification among MSMEs in North Sumatra remains far below the total number of businesses operating in the province.
"This year, 1,000 halal certifications have been provided to MSMEs. You could say that is quite a lot, at least to some extent. But if you say it is still too few, then it is definitely too few. Of the 1.4 million MSMEs in North Sumatra, only around 100,000 have halal certification. That means there are still around 1.3 million that need to be certified. Therefore, I ask that starting next year, the number be increased to at least 5,000 MSMEs per year receiving free halal certification assistance," Bobby said.
Bobby said the government still needs to make significant efforts to increase the proportion of MSMEs with
halal certification. A free assistance program, he added, could serve as a concrete measure to help businesses meet halal requirements without being burdened by certification costs.
Target Set at 5,000 MSMEs a Year
Bobby explained that the development of the halal industry and halal-certified products is creating increasingly significant opportunities for MSMEs in North Sumatra. Public interest in
halal products continues to grow, not only in Indonesia but also in international markets.
"The halal industry and halal products are increasingly in demand among people at both the national and global levels. Therefore, we need to continue expanding halal certification for MSMEs in North Sumatra so that more leading regional products meet halal standards, become more competitive and serve as a driving force for North Sumatra's economy," he said.
For Bobby, increasing the number of MSMEs with
halal certification is not merely about complying with regulations. Certification can also provide entrepreneurs with an important foundation for strengthening consumer confidence and expanding the reach of their products.
With around 1.4 million MSMEs, the provincial government continues to face a major challenge in expanding halal certification. Bobby therefore called for an increase in the annual target for free certification assistance beginning next year so that the process can be accelerated and reach more businesses.
The move is also in line with efforts to build a halal economic ecosystem that connects various sectors. Food and beverages, fashion, cosmetics, tourism, agriculture, the creative economy and MSMEs all have opportunities to become part of a broader halal value chain.
ISLAMIC ECONOMY HOLDS GREAT POTENTIAL: Head of Bank Indonesia's North Sumatra Representative Office Ameriza M Moessa sees significant potential in the Islamic economy as one of North Sumatra's sources of economic growth through the development of the halal value chain. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
Islamic Economy as a Growth Driver
The Head of Bank Indonesia's North Sumatra Representative Office, Ameriza M Moessa, said the development of the Islamic economy has significant potential to support economic growth in North Sumatra. He said the Islamic economy is not limited to the financial sector but also encompasses numerous areas of the real economy.
He explained that the halal value chain includes halal-certified food and beverages, modest fashion, cosmetics, Muslim-friendly tourism, agriculture, the creative economy, MSMEs and the economy of Islamic boarding schools, known as pesantren. These sectors can be connected to create an Islamic economic ecosystem capable of generating additional value for the region.
"The Islamic economy is no longer a limited sector. It has become part of real economic activity and has the potential to become an increasingly important source of growth, including for North Sumatra," he said.
Ameriza emphasized that strengthening the ecosystem requires cross-sector collaboration. Government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, academics, religious scholars, communities and other stakeholders must create synergies so that the potential of the
Islamic economy can be developed to its fullest.
The Sumut Halal Fest 2026 is one of the platforms bringing these various stakeholders together. The event features four main programs: a workshop for the provision of 1,000 halal certifications to MSMEs in North Sumatra; a national seminar in collaboration with the North Sumatra chapter of the Islamic Economic Society (Masyarakat Ekonomi Syariah/MES) and the Association of Doctors of Islamic Economics (Himpunan Doktor Ekonomi Syariah/HADESYA); a session to formulate an Islamic economic work program in collaboration with the North Sumatra Regional Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance (KDEKS); and a large religious gathering, or Tabligh Akbar, featuring nationally known preacher Ustaz Hilman Fauzi.
EXPANDING HALAL-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS: BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said the growing number of halal-certified products from North Sumatra could open up greater market opportunities while strengthening consumer confidence in MSME products. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
Strengthening North Sumatra's Position in the Halal Supply Chain
The
Sumut Halal Fest 2026 serves as a starting point for a more integrated development of the Islamic economic ecosystem in North Sumatra. Institutional cooperation is crucial to ensure that the development of the halal industry does not stop at certification but also strengthens production, marketing, financing and access to larger markets.
Collaboration among the provincial government, Bank Indonesia, the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal/BPJPH), businesses, financial institutions, universities, religious scholars, communities and MSMEs is expected to enable North Sumatra to play a greater role in the halal industry.
With this strengthened ecosystem, North Sumatra could develop not only as a market for
halal products but also as a major producer and an important part of the national and global halal supply chain. Halal certification provides an important foundation for this development because it gives consumers greater assurance while potentially increasing the market value of products.
BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said North Sumatra has a strong foundation for developing its halal industry because the province is home to numerous entrepreneurs and MSMEs. He said the growth of halal-certified products from North Sumatra could provide local businesses with greater access to larger markets.
"North Sumatra has many entrepreneurs and MSMEs. As the number of
halal products from North Sumatra increases, more opportunities will emerge to expand markets and increase MSME sales. The halal lifestyle is also becoming increasingly comprehensive, so
halal certification represents an opportunity for MSME products from North Sumatra to strengthen consumer confidence and expand their markets," Ahmad Haikal Hasan said.
The expansion of halal certification, as discussed during the Sumut Halal Fest 2026, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the position of MSMEs in North Sumatra. As more local products meet halal standards, businesses will have better opportunities to reach consumers for whom halal status is an important factor in product selection.
The target of increasing free certification assistance from 1,000 to 5,000 MSMEs annually is intended to accelerate this process. The North Sumatra government and relevant stakeholders can use this momentum to expand business assistance and improve access for MSMEs so they can meet halal standards while also improving the quality of their products.
Ultimately, strengthening halal certification is not only about meeting consumer needs but also about increasing the competitiveness of the regional economy. With consistent policy support, business assistance and collaboration, MSME products from North Sumatra have the opportunity to reach larger markets and participate in the growth of the national and global halal industry. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala