Indonesian Ulema Council to Hold Halal Expo 2014

Bogor, W.Java (Antara) - The Institute for Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Assessment of Indonesian Ulema Council (LPPOM-MUI) will organize the International Halal Expo (INDHEX) 2014 in October, Director of the institute Lukmanul Hakim stated here on Friday. "INDHEX 2014 is a routine agenda of LPPOM MUI. It will be organized in Jakarta, on October 22-25. This year, the expo will be held for the fourth time," he noted. Lukmanul explained that INDHEX aims to create a loyal community of halal product consumers to face the free trade in 2015. The existence of loyal consumers for halal products will help Indonesia to develop a domestic market in its own country. In addition, Indonesia will have the ability to export its halal products abroad by establishing and improving its role as the world's halal food center. According to Lukmanul, current innovations in the field of food, medicines, and cosmetics are emerging in line with the rapid development of science and technology. "The consumption of the world community is even higher for halal products following increased understanding that halal products are qualified products," Lukman emphasized. LPPOM MUI, as the halal certification body, generates public awareness about halal products by disseminating information about halal products through various channels. One of them is through INDHEX. Other programs to be held at the International Halal Expo are training, symposium, International Halal Research congress, talk shows, competitions, and many others. INDHEX will be attended by domestic and foreign producers of halal products, domestic and overseas halal certification agencies, small and medium enterprises from all provinces in Indonesia, agencies or related companies, professional organizations, academicians, and the media. "In 2013, INDHEX was attended by 150 participants from home and abroad. The event was attended by 12,285 visitors, comprising exporters, retail distributors, hoteliers and restaurateurs, the banking industries, government institutions, world halal agencies, and professionals," Lukman added. (*)