Bandung - As the government is preparing for launch of the Indonesia Islamic Economic Master Plan (MEKSI), the National Islamic Finance Committee (KNKS), held the Indonesia Islamic Economic Festival (IIEFest) 2019 in Bandung, Friday, April 24.
Titled “Halal Lifestyle in the Millennial Era”, IIEFest aims to inform the public on the growth of the halal industry while also increasing awareness for halal lifestyle and its potential benefits for the Indonesian economy. Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Bambang Brodjonegoro, inaugurated the event.
The event also sees the signing of several memorandums of understanding between key players in the industry, which includes BRI Syariah and Paytren, as well as one between Ammana Fintek Syaria, BMT of West Java, BMT Venture Capital, and Al-Azhar National Amil Zakat Institution (LAZNAS AL-Azhar).
As many as 16 speakers shared their knowledge in separate sessions carrying themes such as “Halal Digital Industry”, “Halal Tourism,” “Islamic Edutainment,” and “Muslim Modest Fashion”. An exhibition open for industry players, regulators, start-ups, micro/small and medium enterprises and the visitors was also held.
The event was closed with a performance from singer Tulus; entertainment for attendees were also provided by Na’am Acapella.
In the past three decades, the Islamic economic and financial system has experienced rapid development, both on a national and global scale. In 2019, Global Muslim Travel Index named Indonesia as the best halal travel destination.
To maintain and improve the momentum, the public, in general, can take part by adopting the halal lifestyle and become the prime mover for the new wave of sharia economy.
In that regard, IIEFest aims to promote halal lifestyle by inviting the public to see, learn, and experience the halal lifestyle in person, such as through its Halal Expo, showcasing various halal-certified products from several micro, small and medium enterprises.
The Global Islamic Economic Report 2018/19 shows that the total population of the Muslim world has increased by 1.84 billion, projected to cover 27.5 percent of the total global population in 2023.
As the country with world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia is also the world’s largest consumer base for halal products. In order to achieve optimal growth in sharia economy, Indonesia will need to provide push to locally-made halal products and keen to seize global opportunities.
Brodjonegoro reminded that millennials should not be content as consumers, and find opportunities to become producers as well, to ensure Indonesia will not be left behind in terms of Islamic economy development.
Through IIEFest and its speakers, KNKS aims to provide an insight to the potentials of halal industry to the public, so that it may inspire and provoke the passion to contribute to the growth to national halal industry.