Indonesia and Bangladesh are moving towards closer bilateral cooperation on halal product assurance as well as the establishment of a foreign halal certification body in Bangladesh.
At the centre of discussions is Bangladesh’s proposed establishment of the halal institution. Bangladesh Ambassador to Indonesia Tarikul Islam stated that this move demonstrates Bangladesh’s readiness and responsibility in integrating Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification policy, which will take effect in October 2026. It is also expected to simplify product recognition and improve market access between both countries.
According to Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), stronger bilateral cooperation is becoming increasingly important as countries prepare for more standardised halal trade systems and rising consumer expectations for transparency and product assurance.
BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said: “Collaboration with friendly countries is a strategic step toward creating a trustworthy, responsible, and interconnected halal product assurance system.”
For Bangladesh, establishing a halal institution could help smooth the recognition process for its halal-certified products entering the Indonesian market while strengthening confidence among Muslim consumers. It may also create broader opportunities for Indonesian halal products to gain greater access to the Bangladeshi market.
Beyond compliance, the partnership reflects a broader trend within the halal economy, where governments are placing greater emphasis on harmonised standards and institutional cooperation to reduce trade friction.
As halal markets become increasingly globalised, mutual recognition frameworks are emerging as important tools for facilitating trade and improving regulatory consistency across borders.
For both Indonesia and Bangladesh, stronger cooperation will ease market access while also contributing to a more interconnected halal ecosystem built on shared standards and long-term trust.
