Kupastuntas.co, Lampung English - The Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of Lampung Province noted that as many as 93,948 Micro and Small Business products have registered to obtain free halal certification (Sehati).

"Based on data from Sihalal, the Halal Product Guarantee Organizing Agency, as many as 93,948 Micro and Small Business products were submitted by business actors in the Sehati program," said Head of the Lampung Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion, Puji Raharjo, Sunday 10 September 2023.

Puji said that the district that participated in the Sehati program the most was East Lampung with 23,390 Micro and Small Business products, followed by Pringsewu 13,821, Central Lampung 8,700, North Lampung 7,435, and Bandar Lampung 6,406.

"For East Lampung, of course this needs to be appreciated as a companion to the halal product process, because it could be an example for other regions to be able to do the same thing," he said.

Furthermore, Way Kanan Regency has 5,903 Micro and Small Business products, Tanggamus 4,865, Tulang Bawang 4,487, Tulangbawang Barat 4,299, Lampung Selatan 3,868, Pesawaran 3,426, Metro 3,256, Lampung Barat 2,424, Pesisir Barat 1,691 and Mesuji 977.

“Lampung Province ranks fourth nationally in achieving free halal certification. We hope the number will continue to increase. "The target is that in 2023, business actors who apply for the free halal certification program can reach 100 thousand," he explained.

Puji hopes that business actors can really maximize this Sehati program as best as possible.

"We hope that this program can be maximized, because by October 2024 all food and medicine products must be certified halal," he added.

Puji explained, for business actors whose products are not included in the Sehati program by the Ministry of Religion, they must do so independently through the Halal Inspection Institute in Lampung Province.

"There are several Halal Inspection Institutions in Lampung such as MUI, UIN Raden Intan and other institutions. So if they are not included in the Sehati program until 2024 to have a halal certificate, they can use these Halal Inspection Institutions," he explained.

Puji revealed that there are many benefits for Micro and Small Business actors if they already have a halal certificate. One of them is ensuring the safety of products sold on the market.

"This certificate is to guarantee security and open up a wider market space. When you have a halal certificate and then add a distribution permit, the product can enter modern markets, modern shops and even supermarkets," he added.

Micro and Small Enterprises who want to get a free halal certificate can still register online in the SIHALAL application via the ptsp.halal.go.id page or go directly to the nearest Religious Affairs Office.

"And this is free, there is no charge, because there is a subsidy from the government. And the food is not tested, because all the ingredients used must be clearly halal. For example, flour or sugar must have a halal logo," he said.

Imah, a micro and small chips business operator in Bandar Lampung, revealed that he deliberately registered his cassava and banana chips products to get free halal certification so he could expand sales to supermarkets and modern shops.

"With this halal certificate, I can sell my chip products in supermarkets. "So you can expand marketing and of course you can increase sales turnover," he said. (*)