Singapore, Brunei sign agreement to recognise each other's halal certificates

Singapore and Brunei on Wednesday (Oct 14) signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise the mutual recognition of halal certificates and marks between the two countries.

The agreement was signed by the respective heads of the Islamic religious councils of Singapore and Brunei — MUIS chief executive Kadir Maideen and Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) acting secretary Pengiran Ahmad Faris Ramadhani, and witnessed by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad and his Bruneian counterpart, Minister of Religious Affairs Mohd Tashim bin Hassan.

The visit marked Zaqy's first official trip to Brunei since assuming the role in July .

In a media statement after the signing, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said the mutual recognition of halal certificates and marks was a significant milestone in bilateral halal cooperation.

"The agreement will facilitate halal trade and strengthen consumer confidence in halal-certified products between Singapore and Brunei," MUIS stated.

It added that this will reduce duplication in halal certification processes and provide greater assurance to businesses and consumers, while maintaining the integrity of both countries' halal certification systems.

MUIS said the memorandum is its sixth international halal cooperation agreement and that it is honoured to be Brunei's first partner under such an arrangement.

The other countries with similar agreements with Singapore are: Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Reflecting on the partnership, Zaqy highlighted that the countries share longstanding and close ties, including between their Muslim communities and religious institutions.

"This memorandum of understanding between MUIS and MUIB reflects the strong trust and cooperation between both our countries.

"With the mutual recognition of our halal certificates and marks, I look forward to seeing this partnership deepen for the benefit of our communities, businesses and consumers."

MUIS chief executive Kadir Maideen said the agreement provides a strong framework for MUIS and MUIB to deepen cooperation through technical exchanges and the sharing of expertise.

"With the mutual recognition of halal certificates and marks, we will further uphold the integrity and rigour of our respective certification systems, providing greater assurance to businesses and consumers when engaging with halal-certified products from both countries."

As part of his visit, the acting minister also had audiences with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah. He also made a courtesy call on Brunei's mufti Dr Abdul Aziz Juned.

"These engagements reaffirmed the longstanding ties between Singapore and Brunei, including the close relationship between both countries' Muslim communities," MUIS said.

新加坡和文莱于周三（10 月 14 日）签署了一份谅解备忘录，正式确立两国之间对清真证书和标志的相互承认。

该协议由新加坡和文莱伊斯兰宗教理事会的负责人——新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）首席执行官卡迪尔·迈丁和文莱伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIB）代理秘书彭基兰·艾哈迈德·法里斯·拉马达尼签署，新加坡穆斯林事务代理部长扎基·穆罕默德和文莱宗教事务部长穆罕默德·塔希姆·本·哈桑见证了该协议的签署。

此次访问是扎基自7月就任以来首次正式访问文莱。

新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）在签字仪式后发表媒体声明称，清真证书和标志的相互承认是双边清真合作的一个重要里程碑。

“该协议将促进新加坡和文莱之间的清真贸易，并增强消费者对清真认证产品的信心，”新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）表示。

声明还补充说，这将减少清真认证过程中的重复工作，为企业和消费者提供更大的保障，同时维护两国清真认证体系的完整性。

新加坡伊斯兰教理事会表示，该备忘录是其第六份国际清真合作协议，并表示很荣幸成为文莱在该安排下的第一个合作伙伴。

与新加坡签署类似协议的其他国家还有：印度尼西亚、约旦、摩洛哥、沙特阿拉伯和阿拉伯联合酋长国。

扎基在回顾两国伙伴关系时强调，两国有着长期而密切的联系，包括两国穆斯林社区和宗教机构之间的联系。

“MUIS和MUIB之间的这份谅解备忘录体现了我们两国之间牢固的信任与合作。”

“通过相互承认我们的清真认证和标志，我期待看到这种合作关系不断深化，从而造福我们的社区、企业和消费者。”

MUIS首席执行官卡迪尔·迈丁表示，该协议为MUIS和MUIB通过技术交流和专业知识共享深化合作提供了强有力的框架。

“通过相互承认清真证书和标志，我们将进一步维护各自认证体系的完整性和严谨性，为两国企业和消费者在购买清真认证产品时提供更大的保障。”

访问期间，代理部长还会见了文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔·博尔基亚和王储穆赫塔迪·比拉，并礼节性拜会了文莱大穆夫提阿卜杜勒·阿齐兹·朱内德博士。

“这些交流活动重申了新加坡和文莱之间长期存在的联系，包括两国穆斯林社区之间的密切关系，”新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会表示。