Nestlé Indonesia taps BPJPH to empower 5,000 MSMEs through halal certification

Nestlé Indonesia has joined forces with the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH) to help 5,000 MSMEs obtain halal certification, reinforcing Indonesia’s ambition to become a global centre for halal products.

The collaboration was formalised through a ceremony at Raffles Hotel Jakarta on 3 October. The event was attended by Swiss vice president Guy Parmelin - who also serves as a member of the federal council and head of the department of economic affairs, education, and research - highlighting international support.

“Nestlé’s commitment aligns with Indonesia’s grand vision of becoming the global hub for the halal industry. We welcome this collaboration, particularly in empowering MSMEs to become stronger and more competitive in the halal market,” said BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan.

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As part of the agreement, Nestlé Indonesia will provide direct assistance to MSMEs within its operational areas. The initiative represents a key milestone in strengthening Indonesia’s halal ecosystem and expanding the reach of certified halal products worldwide.

Georgios Badaro, president director of Nestlé Indonesia, reaffirmed the company’s longstanding commitment to halal integrity, product quality, and consumer trust. “We ensure that all Nestlé products are halal and go through strict processes so that families in Indonesia can enjoy food and beverages with peace of mind,” he said.

According to the 2025 Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), Indonesia has slipped from its previous joint lead with Malaysia, which has now reclaimed the sole top spot - signalling shifting dynamics in Southeast Asia’s fast-growing Muslim travel market.  Despite this, halal-certified products remain a steady demand across industries.

A survey by Vero and GMO-Z.com Research found that 89% of Indonesian Muslims prioritise halal food when travelling, shaping both destination choices and perceptions of cultural respect. While expected in Muslim countries, halal offerings in non-Muslim destinations such as Singapore, Japan, and South Korea enhance their appeal by signalling inclusivity and understanding.

Earlier this year, Nestlé Indonesia took part in the Indonesia International Halal Festival (IIHF) 2025, held from 20-22 June at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). Organised by BPJPH and attended by Indonesia’s ministry of creative economy, the event featured more than 80 exhibitors - including international participants - and drew thousands of visitors daily.

At the festival, Nestlé underscored its commitment to ensuring that all its products meet not only global quality standards but also national regulations, including Law No. 33 of 2014 on halal product assurance. Since 2009, the company has implemented a comprehensive halal assurance system covering every stage from ingredient selection and supplier management to production and distribution.

On 13 February 2025, BPJPH’s Hasan visited one of Nestlé Indonesia’s operational sites - the Karawang factory in East Karawang, West Java. The visit aimed to observe Nestlé Indonesia’s production activities and ensure compliance with national regulations, including adherence to halal standards.

Indonesia, home to one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, continues to position itself as a global hub for the halal industry. According to BPJPH data, out of 66 million business owners in Indonesia - most of whom are MSMEs - only around 2.1 million have obtained halal certification. In response, BPJPH is working to expand certification coverage and enforce Law No. 33 of 2014.

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