TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expected the construction of halal district would be completed within two years.

“This is not as easy as falling off a log. This plan has been discussed for the past one and a half year. Inshaallah, this will finish in the next 2-2.5 years,” said the President in Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday, April 16.

As an initial project of Halal District, the government built Halal Park miniature on Jalan Pintu Satu Senayan, located adjacent to the Basketball Hall.

The former Solo Mayor said Halal District would provide halal products, starting from fashion, culinary, tourism, up to healing. He pinned hope that micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) would join in the development of the halal product as it potentially boosts Indonesia’s economy.

Jokowi mentioned that based on Global Islamic Economy Report, Indonesia is the world’s second with the largest market value for Muslim fashion. The value is estimated to reach US$327 billion in 2020.

Additionally, the demand for halal products is projected to reach US$3.7 trillion in 2019 from previously US$2 trillion in 2013. “That means, there is a really huge growth at 9.5 percent,” he added.

The halal industry in Indonesia grows rapidly as the country has the largest Muslim population in the world. Referred to Global Muslim Travel Index 2019, Indonesia is the world’s best halal tourist destination.

There were 140 million Muslim tourists with an online shopping value up to US$35 billion. Global Muslim tourists were also on the rise over the years and are projected to reach 158 million people in 2020.

“Those are large figures, that means, there is a market segment we can work on. Moreover, our country has the largest Muslim population,” said President Jokowi.

FRISKI RIANA

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