Governor Bobby encourages 5,000 SMEs in North Sumatra to utilize free halal certification incentives
The Governor of North Sumatra, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, is advocating for an increase in the number of free halal certifications for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 1,000 to 5,000 per year.
This move is considered crucial for accelerating the strengthening of the halal ecosystem and boosting the competitiveness of local products from North Sumatra in the global market.
Bobby made this proposal during the North Sumatra Halal Fest 2026, held in the parking area behind the North Sumatra Governor’s office on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
He noted that the number of SMEs holding halal certification remains very small compared to the total number of SMEs in North Sumatra.
“This year, 1,000 halal certificates were issued to SMEs. That is a significant number, but certainly not the whole picture. Out of the 1.4 million SMEs in North Sumatra, approximately 100,000 hold a halal certificate. There are still 1.3 million that require halal certification. Therefore, I am advocating for at least 5,000 SMEs to receive free halal certification incentives annually, starting next year,” Bobby proposed.
According to Bobby, the demand for halal products is rising, both domestically and internationally. This presents a significant opportunity for SMEs in North Sumatra to expand their market share and enhance the competitiveness of their products.
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“Demand for halal products is rising, both domestically and internationally. Therefore, we must continue to increase halal certification for SMEs in North Sumatra so that more high-quality regional products meet halal standards, remain competitive, and can boost North Sumatra’s economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ameriza M. Moessa, Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office for North Sumatra Province, stated that the development of the Sharia economy holds significant potential to support North Sumatra’s economic growth.
The Sharia economy encompasses not only Sharia finance but also the halal value chain—including halal food and beverages, modest fashion, cosmetics, Muslim-friendly tourism, agriculture, the creative sector, SMEs, and the Islamic boarding school economy.
“The Sharia economy is no longer a niche sector; it has become part of mainstream economic activity and has the potential to become an increasingly important source of economic growth, including for North Sumatra,” he said.
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The North Sumatra Halal Fest 2026 comprises four main events: a workshop on securing 1,000 halal certifications for SMEs in North Sumatra; a national seminar featuring the North Sumatra Sharia Economic Community (MES) and the Sharia Economics Doctoral Association (HADESYA); a preparatory meeting on the Sharia economy work program with the North Sumatra KDEKS; and a grand Tabligh (Islamic religious gathering) featuring the renowned national preacher Ustaz Hilman Fauzi.
The North Sumatra Halal Fest 2026 is expected to serve as a springboard for strengthening a more integrated Sharia economic ecosystem in North Sumatra. Synergy among the government, Bank Indonesia, the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), the business sector, financial institutions, academics, religious scholars, communities, and SMEs is expected to position North Sumatra not only as a market for halal products but also as a producer and a link in the national and global halal supply chain.
BPJPH Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan stated that North Sumatra holds great potential thanks to the support of numerous entrepreneurs and SMEs. The increase in halal products from North Sumatra is expected to create broader market opportunities, aligning with the growing halal lifestyle.
“North Sumatra is home to many entrepreneurs and SMEs. An increase in halal products from the region will create more opportunities to expand the market and boost SME revenue. The halal lifestyle is currently on the rise, so halal certification offers North Sumatra’s SMEs the chance to build consumer trust and broaden their market reach,” said Ahmad Haikal Hasan. ***rel
Gubernur Bobby Dorong 5.000 UMKM Sumatera Utara Dapat Insentif Sertifikasi Halal Gratis
Gubernur Sumatera Utara (Sumut) Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution mendorong peningkatan pemberian insentif sertifikasi halal gratis bagi pelaku usaha mikro, kecil, dan menengah (UMKM) dari 1.000 menjadi 5.000 UMKM per tahun.
Langkah tersebut dinilai penting untuk mempercepat penguatan ekosistem halal sekaligus meningkatkan daya saing produk lokal Sumut di pasar global.
Usulan tersebut disampaikan Bobby saat menghadiri Sumut Halal Fest 2026 di Halaman Parkir Belakang Kantor Gubernur Sumut, Rabu, 26 Agustus 2026.
Ia menilai jumlah UMKM yang telah memiliki sertifikasi halal masih sangat kecil dibandingkan total pelaku UMKM di Sumut.
“Ada 1.000 sertifikasi halal yang diberikan kepada pelaku UMKM tahun ini. Ini sebenarnya dibilang besar, ya lumayan. Kalau dibilang kecil sudah pasti kecil. Dari 1,4 juta pelaku UMKM di Sumut, sekitar 100.000-an yang punya sertifikasi halal. Masih ada PR 1,3 jutaan lagi yang harus disertifikasi halal. Karena itu, saya minta ditambah minimal setahun 5.000 UMKM diberi insentif halal gratis mulai tahun depan,” usul Bobby.
Menurut Bobby, industri dan produk halal semakin diminati masyarakat, baik di tingkat nasional maupun global. Kondisi tersebut menjadi peluang besar bagi pelaku UMKM Sumut untuk memperluas pasar sekaligus meningkatkan daya saing produk.
“Industri halal dan produk halal semakin diminati masyarakat, baik nasional maupun global. Karena itu, kita perlu terus meningkatkan sertifikasi halal bagi UMKM di Sumatera Utara agar semakin banyak produk unggulan daerah yang memenuhi standar halal, memiliki daya saing, dan dapat menjadi penggerak perekonomian Sumatera Utara,” ujarnya.
Sementara itu, Kepala Perwakilan Bank Indonesia Provinsi Sumut Ameriza M Moessa menyampaikan, pengembangan ekonomi syariah memiliki potensi besar untuk mendukung pertumbuhan ekonomi Sumatera Utara.
Ekonomi syariah tidak hanya mencakup keuangan syariah, tetapi juga Halal Value Chain, antara lain makanan dan minuman halal, modest fashion, kosmetik, pariwisata ramah muslim, pertanian, industri kreatif, UMKM, dan ekonomi pesantren.
“Ekonomi syariah bukan lagi sekadar sektor yang terbatas, tetapi telah menjadi bagian dari aktivitas ekonomi riil dan memiliki potensi menjadi salah satu sumber pertumbuhan ekonomi yang semakin penting, termasuk bagi Sumatera Utara,” ujarnya.
Sumut Halal Fest 2026 menghadirkan empat rangkaian utama, yaitu Workshop 1.000 Sertifikasi Halal UMKM Sumatera Utara, Seminar Nasional bersama Masyarakat Ekonomi Syariah (MES) Sumatera Utara dan Himpunan Doktor Ekonomi Syariah (HADESYA), Rapat Penyusunan Program Kerja Ekonomi Syariah bersama KDEKS Sumatera Utara, serta Tabligh Akbar bersama Ustaz Nasional Hilman Fauzi.
Melalui kegiatan tersebut, Sumut Halal Fest 2026 diharapkan menjadi starting point penguatan ekosistem ekonomi syariah Sumatera Utara yang lebih terintegrasi.
Sinergi antara pemerintah, Bank Indonesia, BPJPH, dunia usaha, lembaga keuangan, akademisi, ulama, komunitas, dan UMKM diharapkan mampu mendorong Sumatera Utara tidak hanya menjadi pasar produk halal, tetapi juga menjadi produsen dan bagian dari rantai pasok halal nasional dan global.
Kepala BPJPH Ahmad Haikal Hasan menyampaikan, Sumut memiliki potensi besar karena didukung banyak pengusaha dan UMKM. Peningkatan jumlah produk halal dari Sumut diyakini akan membuka peluang pasar yang lebih luas seiring dengan semakin berkembangnya halal lifestyle.
“Sumatera Utara memiliki banyak pengusaha dan UMKM. Dengan semakin meningkatnya produk halal dari Sumatera Utara, akan semakin terbuka peluang untuk memperluas pasar dan meningkatkan penjualan UMKM. Halal lifestyle saat ini juga semakin luas, sehingga sertifikasi halal menjadi salah satu peluang bagi produk UMKM Sumatera Utara untuk meningkatkan kepercayaan konsumen dan memperluas pasar,” ujar Ahmad Haikal Hasan. ***rel
