Jakarta. The developing-nation bloc D-8 aims to unlock $500 billion in intra-group trade by 2030 as it seeks to reduce barriers related to halal certification and counter Chinese dominance in the market. 

The D-8 brings together Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, and its newcomer, Azerbaijan. This year is Indonesia’s turn to lead the group, and it wants to tap into the potential of halal trade.

Speaking at the D-8 Halal Expo Indonesia 2026, Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta revealed that current export-import activities within the grouping had only reached less than a third of the $500 billion target.

“Trade volume between D-8 members only hits between $150 billion and $160 billion at the moment,” Anis said.

“We are systematically addressing the barriers, be it related to tariffs, logistics, regulations, and so on.”

The D-8’s demographics of being home to a large Muslim population naturally should have made it an ideal market for the halal industry. Ironically, China dominates the market, according to  Indonesia’s Halal Assurance Agency (BPJPH). Reports have attributed Beijing’s dominance to its manufacturing scale and links with Muslim-majority markets.

"China is the world’s largest producer of halal products. Followed by Brazil and the US. No D-8 country is topping the list. That’s why we need to harmonize the standards and even have the same [halal] logo,” BPJPH head Haikal Hassan explained.

“We should not see halal as a religious function alone, but it should be something that holds economic value.”

Jakarta has been pushing for mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with foreign partners. These deals see Indonesia recognizing foreign-issued halal certificates and vice versa, streamlining market entry.

According to Haikal, work is already underway to have MRAs with the D-8 economies. His team had also visited their respective halal authorities to see how they make sure that their domestic production process complies with Islamic law. 

“All they need is to re-register so it will be recorded by our trade ministry,” Haikal said.

Pakistan is among the D-8 countries that have struck MRAs with Indonesia. The BPJPH database shows that two of its halal certifiers — Al-Waiz and International Halal Certification — have MRAs valid until February 2028.

“If we can come up with one halal certification for all countries, I think that will be a breakthrough in the sector,” Pakistani Ambassador Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri told reporters.

Beyond boosting D-8 trade figures, MRAs have become increasingly more important as Indonesia will soon require all products to be halal-certified. This policy will be effective on October 18. 

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