VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Government, through the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), is exploring cooperation in the halal product assurance (JPH) sector with the Mexican Government, BPJPH Head Aqil Irham informed here on Monday.

"We welcome efforts to strengthen cooperation with any party as long as it is carried out in accordance with regulations and has mutual benefits," Irham said.

The cooperation was explored by BPJPH during a virtual audience with the Mexican Ambassador to Indonesia, Armando G. Alvarez, some time ago.

Irham said the cooperation is expected to improve the relationship between the two countries and encourage economic recovery efforts through halal industry and trade.

"BPJPH is mandated to facilitate and encourage economic recovery through the development of halal industries such as food and beverages, fashion, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, tourism, media, recreation, to financial services," Irham explained.

Earlier, four countries had signed a JPH cooperation agreement with Indonesia: Chile, Argentina, Hungary, and Belarus.

According to Irham, based on the regulation, international cooperation on JPH needs to be conducted government-to-government (G-to-G).

International cooperation in trade, economic, social, cultural, and other sectors that have been established can also become a foundation for further cooperation, he said.

Irham further said he hopes that the halal trade cooperation between Indonesia and Mexico would contribute to strengthening the value of national trade.

A similar expectation was also conveyed by Ambassador Alvarez. He said that the cooperation initiated by the Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) is expected to have a positive impact on his country's economic development.

"Through this audience, it is hoped that we can discuss cooperation with Indonesia. Mainly, to increase trade in agricultural products or halal food," Alvarez remarked.  (Antaranews)