Friday, 19 June 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Government of North Sumatra Province is preparing to play a strategic role as host of the 32nd Ministerial Meeting of the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), scheduled to take place in Medan in September 2026. The international forum is expected to become a key driver of economic cooperation in Southeast Asia.
In this context, the provincial government is set to table a major proposal: the inclusion of an integrated halal products and services ecosystem within the IMT-GT Blueprint. The initiative is designed to strengthen regional economic collaboration while enhancing long-term value creation across participating regions."This idea aligns with North Sumatra's commitment to expanding the benefits of IMT-GT cooperation through the development of an inclusive and competitive economic system," Yamin said during a press briefing held at the Communication and Informatics Office in Medan on Wednesday (June 17, 2026).
Yamin added that an initial coordination meeting involving ten provinces across Sumatra had already identified a range of economic potentials that could be integrated into the IMT-GT framework.
The agricultural sector-especially coffee production-has become a key focus. Yamin highlighted concerns over misbranding of local products in international markets.
"It is like the saying: the cow produces the milk, but the ox gets the name. Our coffee comes from North Sumatra, yet it is often marketed under other countries' brands," he said."These measures are expected not only to improve product and service quality, but also to attract investment and strengthen the halal marketing network," Yamin explained, adding that standardization training around Lake Toba would benefit both tourism and future generations in the region.
In addition, halal tourism is expected to evolve into a more service-oriented ecosystem, supported by long-term investment in human resource development.
"We sincerely hope that the halal products and services concept becomes a clearly defined component of future IMT-GT policy and brings real benefits to all participating regions," Yamin said.As host of the 32nd IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting, North Sumatra positions itself not only as a venue, but also as a catalyst for concrete economic and social progress in the region. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
