REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Malaysia aims to further cooperate with Indonesia on halal certification, considering the huge potential of the food and dairy products' industry, stated Malaysian International Trade and Industry Minister Dato Sri Mustapa Mohamed.

"Even though the negotiation is already in the final stage, but yet to reach 100 percent," noted Minister Mohamed during an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia 2015 here on Monday (21/4).

Through the cooperation with Indonesia, Malaysia is also eying to become the leading provider of halal certification.

Mohamed acknowledged that there were some barriers that hampered the halal cooperation with Indonesia, one of which concerns halal labeling.

"There are still some problems related to Malaysia's halal certificate to be accepted in Indonesia, and vice versa, which has to be solved through halal standardization," he affirmed.

Besides the halal certification, Malaysia is also committed to increase investment in Indonesia in various sectors, including banking services, infrastructure, telecommunication, and plantation.

The bilateral trade between Malaysia and Indonesia had reached U$20 billion until 2013, but decreased slightly in 2014.

With regard to trade cooperation, Minister Mohamed had met Indonesian Trade Minister Rahmat Gobel to discuss about commodities such as palm, rubber, and cocoa produced by the two countries.

"We have agreed to conduct a ministerial meeting for four or five related ministers to discuss economy and trade," he stated.

The WEF on East Asia themed "Anchoring Trust in East Asia's New Regionalism" is being held on April 19-21 and highlights three program pillars related to the new regional context, new economic context, and new citizen context.

More than 700 participants, representing businesses, public sector, science, arts, civil society, and international organizations, convene at the forum.

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