REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BATAM - Provincial government of Riau Islands commits to provide a business area that produces only halal products. The area will be in Kepala Jeri Island in Batam, Riau Islands.

"About 2,000 hectare has been prepared for the development of halal industrial area. We are still waiting for the layout," the Head of Agriculture, Forestry, and Animal Husbandry Department of Riau Archipelago, Said Jafar, said on Saturday.

The opening of halal region is the outcome of agreement and investment commitment with the investors of Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. The investors have prepared 9 trillion IDR to develop the halal region, which focuses on the animal husbandry, such as cattle, goat, and mutton.

Currently, Middle East countries import halal livestock from Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. The investors of Saudi Arabia cooperate with Riau Islands due to its location and potency. "The halal label will be given by Malaysia and Indonesian Board of Ulama (MUI)," Jafar said.

Jafar hopes the opening of halal food industry can speed up the growth of investment in Riau Islands in 2013. Business and Investment Director at the Ministry of Agriculture Jamil Musanif welcomes positively the opening of halal region in Batam. Musanif said that regions must cooperate with foreign investors to enhance investment in the processing and marketing of agriculture products.

An effort to increase export demand is to hold agribusiness exhibition is several regions. After conducting exhibition in Batam last week, Ministry of Forestry, he said, would hold the similar event in Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

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