Domestic companies will receive support from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) as they pursue certification as a halal food manufacturer to advance into Indonesian food markets.

Halal food refers to food that is allowed for Muslim consumption. The use of pork, human blood, and organs is strictly prohibited.

Non-halal food is sold in large cities in Indonesia, which has a population of 200 billion, but it is almost impossible to sell food in small cities without the certification.

5,896 certificates were issued to 3,561 companies last year, but only 10 of them were Korean firms.

Against this backdrop, KOTRA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Indonesia Ulema Council, the authority for halal food certification, to support domestic food firms.

“We expect the MOU to help domestic companies advance into the world’s largest halal food market,” said Young Ho Oh, President of KOTRA.

Source: Yonhap News (Mar. 27, 2013)

** This article was translated from the Korean.