(FEB NEWS) On Monday, June 26, 2023, IAEI (Association of Islamic Economists) in collaboration with the Department of Sharia Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga held a series of East Java Roadshow Series “Regional MSME Development Workshop” for MSMEs. The event was held at the Fadjar Hall, FEB UNAIR, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM WIB. Present as a resource person was Dr. Abdul Rahem, M. Kes., Apt. with the theme “Product Certification and Market Strengthening” and moderated by Dr. Hj. Fatmah, DPW IAEI East Java.

After remarks by the Chairperson of the East Java Regional Executive Board of the Indonesian Association of Indonesian Islamic Associations (IAEI), the Chairperson of the Research and Scientific Development Division of the Indonesian Islamic Association (DPP IAEI), and the Chairperson of the Indonesian Islamic Association of Indonesia (PPUMI) of East Java, who is also the Deputy Regent of Sumenep, the Regional MSME Development Workshop began with a pre-test conducted by the participants. As the Chairperson of the Halal Center Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Abdul Rahem explained about halal assurance and the free halal certification program in Indonesia. He quoted Mr. Joko Widodo regarding the halal industry: "Indonesia has the potential to become the center of the world's halal industry as well as the center of the world's fashion industry. I target that this goal can be achieved by 2024.".

As Muslims, we naturally consume halal food. A study by Prof. Dr. Ir. Tri Susanti, a lecturer at Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java, found products containing ingredients that could possibly be derived from pork, leading to numerous public demonstrations against these products. Therefore, halal certification is crucial as a guarantee of halal products. In addition to conveying the urgency of halal certification, the speaker also presented the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs' regulation, Law 33/2014, through the Halal Product Guarantee Agency, which states that starting October 17, 2021, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and consumer goods must be halal certified. Sanctions will be imposed after the phase-in period ends.
Finally, the speaker provided information about the 2023 Free Halal Certification Program (Sehati) for micro and small businesses through a self-declaration scheme, namely through assistance from the PPH (Halal Product Process) affiliated with the PPH Assistance Institution (LP3H). It is hoped that participants from MSMEs who have not or are facing obstacles in halal certification can be assisted and help realize Indonesia's dream of becoming a global halal industry center by 2023. This workshop supports the optimization of SDGs number 12, namely responsible consumption and production.