By: Alieya Aqilah.
Jordan is taking significant strides in developing its Halal ecosystem through a strategic partnership with Malaysia’s leading Halal digital technology provider, Serunai Commerce. This collaboration, facilitated under the Reverse Linkage modality of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aims to enhance Jordan’s Halal certification processes and regulatory framework.
A key milestone in this initiative was the recent 11-day Diagnostic Mission on Halal Ecosystem Development, which served as a comprehensive assessment of Jordan’s existing capabilities. Led by IsDB and Serunai Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) of Jordan, the mission engaged with various key stakeholders to identify gaps and opportunities for growth in the country’s Halal industry.
The mission involved discussions with several Jordanian government bodies, including the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation (JSMO), the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Supply (MIT), the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), Jordan Customs, the Municipality of Greater Amman, the Iftaa’ Department, Jordan Chambers of Industry (JCI), and the Embassy of Malaysia in Amman. These engagements focused on strengthening Jordan’s Halal regulatory frameworks and aligning them with global standards.
As part of the initiative, a workshop jointly organised by IsDB and MoPIC, and conducted by Serunai Commerce, facilitated knowledge-sharing and discussions on capacity building. The delegation also visited leading manufacturing facilities such as Siniora Food Industries and BioEnergyTech to assess Jordan’s Halal production capabilities and explore strategies for improvement.
IsDB Reverse Linkage Lead Technical Specialist, Aminuddin Mat Ariff, emphasised the importance of the diagnostic mission, stating, “This initiative allows us to thoroughly assess Jordan’s existing capacities, identify key gaps, and provide the necessary support to develop a comprehensive and sustainable Halal ecosystem. Through South-South Cooperation, we are fostering expertise exchange and innovative solutions that will drive economic growth and strengthen institutions.”
Serunai Commerce’s Director of International Partnerships, Intan Suriya, highlighted the crucial role of capacity building in ensuring Jordan’s Halal certification aligns with global best practices. She noted that the initiative will empower local agencies such as JSMO and JFDA to streamline certification processes and enhance market access for local businesses.
Representatives from MoPIC and JSMO reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to strengthening its Halal industry, emphasising the government’s dedication to improving regulatory frameworks and supporting businesses in expanding to international markets. The discussions included hands-on training, capacity gap analyses, and the development of a roadmap to drive the growth of Jordan’s Halal sector.
“Jordan is committed to advancing its Halal industry, and our collaboration with Serunai Commerce and IsDB is a crucial step toward achieving this goal,” said MoPIC’s Arab and Islamic Relations Section Head, Malek Breazat. He added that with Malaysia’s extensive experience in Halal certification and digital solutions, Jordan is poised to strengthen its Halal ecosystem, ensuring global compliance and unlocking economic opportunities for local businesses.
This diagnostic mission marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between Jordan and Malaysia. Moving forward, the collaboration will focus on implementing digital Halal certification solutions, harmonising local standards with international requirements, and creating new trade and investment opportunities, positioning Jordan as a key player in the global Halal economy.
Sourced: The Sun.
