Ahead of JHF #2, the organizers presented plans for free halal certification for MSMEs and the presence of hundreds of business actors from various industries. This program answers problems that often arise at the same time: products need certainty of being halal, while businesses need access to consumers and potential partners.
Halal certificates build consumer confidence while encouraging process regularity at the producer level. Business actors need to know the materials used, maintain production flows, store documents, and ensure that changes in suppliers do not interfere with product compliance.
Certification assistance helps products be more ready, while business matching helps ready products find markets and partners.
For micro businesses, the certification process can feel complicated due to limited information and personnel. The presence of a companion at the festival helps business actors understand the stages, prepare documents, and recognize improvements that need to be made to the production process.
The benefits don't stop with the halal logo on the packaging. A more organized process can improve quality consistency, facilitate collaboration with distributors, and strengthen the product's position when participating in procurement or entering the retail network.
Business matching provides a more focused conversation space than general interaction in the exhibition area. Business actors can present their products, capacities, prices and development plans to potential buyers, financing institutions or distribution partners.
From the buyer's side, this meeting helps screen participants based on market needs. From the MSME side, buyers' questions become direct evaluation material regarding production capacity, continuity of supply, packaging, legality and price structure.
Not all meetings have to end with a contract on the same day. The importance lies in the follow-up: samples sent, paperwork completed, quality improved, and ongoing communication after the festival.