Diplomatic Desk:
Ms. Listyowati, the Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh, sees great potential for halal products beyond traditional trade between Bangladesh and Indonesia.
She said this at a meeting held between the FBCCI and a high-level business delegation from Indonesia in Motijheel, the capital, on Monday (June 8, 2026).
Ms. Listyowati said that there is huge trade potential between the two countries in various halal products such as processed food, fashion items, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, healthcare, digital technology and emerging sectors beyond traditional trade.
It is worth noting that the “D-8 Halal Expo 2026” is going to be held in the Indonesian capital Jakarta from July 8-12. The Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh urged Bangladeshi businessmen to participate in the exhibition with their respective products.
He said, we expect a high-level trade delegation from Bangladesh to participate in the Halal Expo. The Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka will provide all kinds of cooperation in this regard.
The Indonesian Ambassador said, Halal products do not only mean halal meat or halal food, the list of halal products includes clothing, cosmetics, medicines, healthcare, medical equipment, halal finance, tourism, etc.
He also said that the upcoming D-8 Halal Expo is not just an ordinary exhibition. It is a unique platform to strengthen the halal eco-system among the D-8 countries, as well as increase trade relations, expand investment and build partnerships in various sectors.
Mr. Putu Rahwidhiyasa, Director General of the Indonesian National Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance (KNEKS), presented a report on the “D-8 Halal Expo 2026”.
He said that Indonesia is not limited to exporting halal products only, but is also working to develop the ‘halal value chain’. He expressed the hope that Bangladesh and Indonesia can further expand bilateral trade by utilizing this halal value chain.
In the report, he said that Indonesia has ranked among the top 10 exporting countries in terms of internal trade among OIC countries in 2022. Only Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are ahead of the country in this list.
Indonesia currently ranks 6th in the world in the Global Halal Economy Trade & Investment Index. The country’s current ranking for the halal food sector in this index is 4th. The country has also proven its ability to have a diverse halal market by achieving 6th place in the fashion and apparel sector.
According to the report, halal food is making the biggest contribution among the various sectors of the halal economy. In 2023, the expenditure in this sector in OIC countries was 1,239.5 billion or about 1.23 trillion US dollars, with a potential annual growth rate of 6.2 percent. The second largest halal clothing sector, Muslim consumers spent 277.9 billion US dollars and its annual growth rate is estimated at 6.8 percent.
Mohammad Riyad Ali, President of the Indonesia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) and former Director of FBCCI, said that the D-8 Halal Expo is a great opportunity to see how D-8 countries are implementing halal practices in their daily lives and trade. Besides, there is an opportunity to learn from their experience in developing the halal certification system in our country.
Earlier, FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir delivered a welcome speech at the meeting. He said that there is a very excellent and strong trade relationship between Bangladesh and Indonesia. Although Bangladesh is quite backward in that trade. He believes that by participating in a large international platform like D-8 Halal Expo, this trade partnership between the two countries will be more versatile and new possibilities for halal trade will be opened.
FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir assured the Indonesian trade delegation that FBCCI will work sincerely to ensure that a business delegation from Bangladesh participates in D-8 Halal Expo 2026.
Former FBCCI Director and BARVIDA President Abdul Haque, former FBCCI Director Giasuddin Chowdhury (Khokon), former FBCCI Director and Bangladesh Sugar Traders Association President Md. Abul Hashem Abul Hashem, leaders of various chambers and associations, members of the FBCCI General Council and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Animal Resources, BSTI, BIDA, EPB and Islamic Foundation were present at the meeting.
