Minangkabau World Foundation (MWF), in collaboration with LPPOM MUI, Andalas University, Padang, and West Sumatra Provincial Government, have collaborated in the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in West Sumatra. One of them is the assistance and facilitation of halal certification for around 20 SME scale businesses in the area.
The submission of halal certification was carried out in the West Sumatra Governor’s office hall on Friday, December 13, 2019, by West Sumatra Deputy Governor Nasrul Abid, witnessed by Central LPPOM MUI Vice Director Osmena Gunawan, Deputy Mayor of Bukittinggi Irwandi, Chairperson of Board of Trustees of MWF Syukri Bey, Director of LPPOM MUI West Sumatra, Syaifullah and the management and members of MWF.
West Sumatra Deputy Governor Nasrul Abid said that halal certification is not only from food and drinks. But also must go to other tourism supporters such as hospitality and other facilities.
In addition to halal guarantees, another thing to consider is the distribution and sales network. “Do not let us lose the competition because we are not good at managing shipments, even though the market demand is huge, for example, rendang. Everyone likes rendang, but how do we make it so that our rendang can enter other regions in Indonesia,” Abid said.
Osmena expressed his appreciation for MWF’s initiative in facilitating the development of SMEs in his region, including in terms of organizing halal certification. Halal certification for SMEs, said Osmena, is one of the requirements for business players to be able to compete in the market. Especially since the enactment of Law number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance, which requires halal guarantees for products circulating in the community. “Therefore, this halal certificate is essential. But, what is also important is how these business people package their products well, thus attracting consumers. This is where MWF must also play a role,” Osmena said.
MWF is a foundation pioneered by several leaders and entrepreneurs from West Sumatra in 2017. The foundation, which is driven by more than 150 Minang community leaders, is not only engaged in the socio-cultural sector. But also in the field of business development, especially facilitating the development of SMEs in West Sumatra.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the MWF, Syukri Bey, asserted, the halal business has become a new economic power that is trending around the world. Even a country with a population is not Muslim has managed the halal market very well. For example, Thailand and Korea, which have entered the halal market with a very massive. “We cannot stay silent. We must support our SMEs to compete in the halal market,” he said.
In addition to facilitating halal certification, MWF also provides revolving funds for SME capitals so that they spared from loan sharks meshes. (*)
