South Korea to explore halal food market in Indonesia

The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, through the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation, will explore the possibility of entering the halal food market in Indonesia.

Lee Kyu Baek from the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation made the statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, during a press conference about the upcoming Korean Festival, scheduled to begin on Sep 30.

As a part of the month-long festival, the Trade Corporation will hold a Korean food fair themed Safe and Healthy Lifestyle with Premium K-Food from 6 to 9 October.

“This effort is being made to increase the demand for Korean foods, as well as heightening its recognition in Indonesia,” he said.

Lee further explained that the halal food industry in Korea is still small, which is why the Korean government has launched a Moslem friendly policy to ensure the convenience of Moslem tourists who come to visit.

It has been reported that some 740,000 Moslem tourists have visited South Korea, as of last year, and the Indonesia K-Food Fair 2016 event is seeking to further promote both Korean cuisine and tourism to the Indonesian public.

The cuisine-based fair will be divided into two segments, one being an export conference, scheduled to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Oct 6 and 7.

“We will be holding a seminar in which representatives from Korea will explain halal policies, as well as the steps to obtain halal certification in detail,” he said.

The business-to-business conference will see 20 Korean exhibitors and 40 Indonesian buyers participating, he remarked.

In addition, a consumer experience event (B2C) will be held in Kota Kasablanka from October 8 to 9, where visitors can taste traditional Korean foods being promoted in separate halal, easy products and healthy food zones.