Ma'ruf Amin Talks of Great Challenges of Developing Sharia Economy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin revealed three serious challenges for Indonesia to develop Islamic economic and financial products that are competitive in the global market. 

He explained that the first challenge is the value chain of various sharia economic sectors that have not been yet integrated.

“To create an efficient halal industry, it is necessary to develop an integrated ecosystem in economic activities, starting from imports, production processes, distribution, marketing, up to consumers,” said Ma'ruf in the virtual launching event of the Sharia Finance and Digital Economy (Shafiec) and National Sharia Finance Forum on Friday, March 12.

Ma'ruf said the government was keen to expand halal industrial areas and issued several policies to support the value chain, such as by strengthening the sharia-based industry and MSMEs through Job Creation Law and the establishment of Bank Syariah Indonesia.

The second challenge is the digital transformation of economic activities which is accelerated by the pandemic, the VP argued.

The next challenge is human resources. Ma'ruf Amin opined that Indonesia is lacking resources in the Islamic economy. He pinned hopes that universities could produce reliable human resources in the sharia economy and finance. “I hope the university curricula can match the needs of this industry,” he said.

Read: Ma'ruf Amin Suggests Tax Reform for Islamic Financial Institution

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA