'Audit Desk' To Make It Easier For Entry Of Halal Food Products To Indonesia

From Azeman Ariffin JAKARTA, July 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian halal food products can now penetrate the Indonesian market after the republic's government agreed to set up a 'audit desk' for the entry of the products. Minister of International Trade and Industry, Mustapa Mohamed, said via the 'desk audit', it would be easier for the Indonesian government to recognise the halal certificates issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). He said prior to now, all halal food products entering Indonesia had to go through the inspection process in the factories in Malaysia and had to be audited physically by the Indonesian authorities even though they had Jakim's halal certificates. He said because of the physical audit, the manufacturers had resulted in manufacturers having to bear the costs which were high eventhough Indonesian products coming here were not subjected to physical audit. "This is one of achievements of the Indonesia-Malaysia Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) meeting here today. The Indonesian government welcomed our proposal to set up the 'audit desk'," he told Malaysian reporters here Thursday. Mustapa is here leading a delegation to the 2nd JTIC meeting, which will be chaired by Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong. He said both governments also agreed to boost trade at Entikong-Tebedu border and Nunukan in Kalimantan province. --BERNAMA