MEDAN — North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution has officially proposed a dramatic expansion in free halal certification subsidies for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The initiative aims to accelerate the growth of the regional halal ecosystem and boost the global competitiveness of local products.
Governor Bobby put forward the recommendation while attending the Sumut Halal Fest 2026, hosted at the North Sumatra Governor’s Office parking grounds in Medan on Wednesday (26/8/2026). He emphasized that the current number of certified small businesses remains disproportionately low relative to the province’s vast commercial landscape.
“While the 1,000 free halal certificates allocated this year represent a decent milestone, it remains small in the broader context. Out of 1.4 million MSMEs operating across North Sumatra, only around 100,000 have obtained official halal compliance. That leaves an immense homework list of 1.3 million businesses. Therefore, I propose ramping up our target to cover at least 5,000 MSMEs with free halal incentives every year starting next year,” Governor Bobby asserted.
According to the Governor, halal products and services have transitioned into a rapidly growing lifestyle demand, appealing to consumers both domestically and globally. This shift presents a major economic opportunity for local enterprise expansion if backed by standardized compliance.
“Consumer demand for halal-certified goods is surging worldwide. Strengthening certification access ensures our regional flagship products achieve high market trust, maintain strict quality standards, and act as primary drivers of North Sumatra’s economic growth,” he explained.
Echoing the Governor’s initiative, Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office for North Sumatra, Ameriza M. Moessa, highlighted that Islamic economic development holds massive potential for regional financial acceleration. He noted that the Islamic economy extends beyond financial services to include the entire Halal Value Chain—comprising halal food and beverages, modest fashion, cosmetics, Muslim-friendly tourism, and green agriculture.
Simultaneously, Head of the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, underscored North Sumatra’s strategic position due to its vast network of entrepreneurs. Increasing the volume of certified items will directly elevate consumer trust and widen international export channels.
Sumut Halal Fest 2026 featured multiple strategic agendas, including certification workshops, national economic seminars, and joint action plan drafting with the Regional Islamic Economy and Finance Committee (KDEKS Sumut).
For many small food and beverage vendors in North Sumatra, navigating administrative procedures and certification costs has historically been a significant barrier. By establishing a targeted goal of 5,000 free certifications per year, the North Sumatra Provincial Government directly tackles these financial constraints. Expanding access through simplified digital submissions (Self-Declare) alongside subsidized regular auditing enables micro-entrepreneurs in suburban and rural areas to comply with national standards without straining operational capital.
As North Sumatra positions itself as a primary gateway to ASEAN and Middle Eastern trade corridors, securing official halal accreditation serves as a vital non-tariff bridge for exports. With strategic infrastructure such as the Kuala Tanjung Port and Belawan Logistics Hub operational, standardizing local agricultural, food, and cosmetic products creates a direct pipeline for regional MSMEs to supply international supply chains, fulfilling mandatory national compliance deadlines set by the central government.
