To increase the added value of SMEs in Babel, LPH LPPOM, in collaboration with Baznas, provides free, easy, and fast BPJPH halal certification facilities. With the continuation of this program, it is hoped that Bangka Belitung will become a pilot province in the development of an inclusive and sustainable halal economy.
In an effort to encourage productive economic growth and empowerment of small business actors, The Halal Inspection Body (LPH) of The Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics (LPPOM) of Bangka Belitung Province (Babel) collaborated with the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) of Pangkalpinang City. This collaboration was realized through a free BPJPH halal certification program for eight Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) fostered by Baznas, which was symbolically handed over on September 14, 2024, in Pangkalpinang.
Director of LPPOM MUI Babel, Muhammad Ihsan, expressed his appreciation for the success of this collaboration program. According to him, this initiative is a concrete step in building the people’s economy, especially for small business actors who are classified as mustahik or zakat recipients.
“We really appreciate Baznas Pangkalpinang City for facilitating free BPJPH halal certificates. This program not only supports the development of small businesses, but also provides opportunities for mustahik to develop into muzaqi (people who pay zakat) in the future,” said Ihsan.
With halal certification, Ihsan believes that Baznas fostered businesses that will have better competitiveness in the market. This certification is the key to increasing consumer confidence in the products produced, both locally and nationally. In addition, this step is also expected to contribute to reducing unemployment and poverty in Bangka Belitung.
Furthermore, he expressed his hope that the BPJPH halal certification program can continue to be sustainable and touch a wider industrial sector. The main focus is on upstream products, such as the chicken, beef, and derivative product processing industries. This is considered strategic because the sector has great potential to improve the regional economy and open up new business opportunities.
Of course, LPH LPPOM will continue to encourage similar programs to also target cafes and canteens in the future. With the BPJPH halal certification for food establishments, the acceleration of the provision of halal products in Bangka Belitung will be increasingly optimal. This is in line with the vision to make Babel one of the provinces that excel in developing the halal industry in Indonesia.
“This program must be expanded to include cafes and canteens. That way, the halal business ecosystem in Bangka Belitung will be stronger and more integrated,” added Ihsan.
His party also invited Baznas in six other regencies/cities in Bangka Belitung to emulate the program that Baznas Pangkalpinang City has run. According to him, this free BPJPH halal certification program can be a solution for small business actors in various regions to develop and be more independent.
“We encourage Baznas in six other regencies/cities to run similar programs. In this way, productive economic businesses certified by BPJPH halal can develop evenly throughout Bangka Belitung,” said Ihsan.
This program provides significant benefits for eight business actors fostered by Baznas Pangkalpinang City. BPJPH halal certification not only improves product quality and trust but also opens wider market access, including opportunities to enter the modern market.
The collaboration between LPH LPPOM MUI Babel and Baznas Pangkalpinang City is really proof that synergy between institutions has a major impact in supporting a productive economy based on halal. With the sustainability of this program, it is hoped that Bangka Belitung will become a pilot province in developing an inclusive and sustainable halal economy.
“We believe that this step will bring long-term benefits to the regional economy, while supporting joint efforts in building a stronger and more competitive people’s economy,” concluded Ihsan.
LPH LPPOM always encourages business actors to have halal certificates by providing easy and fast BPJPH halal certification services. All information related to the flow and procedures for BPJPH halal certification can be accessed on the website www.halalmui.org. LPH LPPOM also provides a Halal Product Check platform to facilitate consumers and producers in searching for halal products or product ingredients. (YN)
