Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government, in cooperation with the B57+ Asia Pacific Regional Chapter, is seeking to position the country as a key driver of the global halal economy.Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said the halal economy should no longer be viewed solely through the lens of religious observance, but as a major industry projected to exceed US$3 trillion globally by 2026.“The halal food, Islamic finance, cosmetics, and halal lifestyle are now mainstreaming the global economy,” he said on Wednesday (April 22), following a gathering of the B57+ Asia Pacific Regional Chapter.He added that the launch of the B57+ Asia Pacific Regional Chapter on February 3 marked a significant milestone in establishing a private sector-led platform connecting the 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.Chairman of the B57+ Asia Pacific Regional Chapter Arsjad Rasjid emphasized that strengthening peace and prosperity is increasingly vital in times of global uncertainty.He said a platform capable of building trust and bridging markets is essential to drive economic growth.“One of the most ready and promising markets is the halal economy,” Arsjad said.He highlighted that the global halal economy is projected to reach US$9.5 trillion by 2030, transcending religious, cultural, and geographical boundaries.However, he noted that this potential can only be fully realized through organized, trusted, and connected collaboration, including under the B57+ framework.“The mission of B57+ is simple, yet ambitious, such as translating shared strength into shared prosperity. This is achieved through trade, investment, and concrete business connectivity,” he said.Arsjad added that halal is not limited to food but represents a broader lifestyle rooted in trust, quality, and integrity, now relevant across sectors such as fashion, healthcare, logistics, and Islamic finance.“Our task is to translate this potential into tangible economic benefits. Many opportunities exist between Islamic countries and their partners that still require stronger institutional bridges and trust mechanisms,” he said.As part of its Asia Pacific expansion, the regional chapter plans to establish B57+ representatives in several non-OIC countries, including ASEAN members such as Vietnam, as well as Australia and New Zealand.B57+ Indonesia Secretary General Eka Sastra said Indonesia’s status as the world’s largest Muslim-majority country should position it as a leading force in global halal productivity.“We recognize that we cannot achieve this ambitious goal alone. This effort requires collaboration and cooperation,” he said.