PORTALJABAR, CIAMIS REGENCY - The Ciamis Regency Government presents the Halal, Safe, and Healthy (KHAS) Culinary Zone at the Karangkamulyan Rest Area as the first non-toll rest area in Indonesia to hold this status to provide halal product guarantees while expanding business opportunities for MSMEs (June 5, 2026).

The inauguration of the SPECIAL Zone is part of the East Priangan Peninsula (Sharia Economic Synergy Network) x Ciamis Creative Expo 2026 activities which are held through a collaboration between the Ciamis Regency Government, the Bank Indonesia Tasikmalaya Representative Office, and the Ciamis Creative Expo organizers.

Ciamis Regent Herdiat Sunarya said that the presence of the SPECIAL Zone provides a sense of security and comfort for the community and tourists visiting Ciamis.

"The Ciamis Regency population is 98 percent Muslim. This halal certification is essential, not only for local residents but especially for visitors. So, when they pass through and stop for a rest in Ciamis, they won't have to worry about buying snacks or eating out," Herdiat emphasized.

In addition to providing a culinary area that is guaranteed halal, the Ciamis Regency Government also facilitates free halal certification for micro, small, and medium businesses.

Herdiat explained that the regional government is collaborating with the National Zakat Agency to assist in issuing 1,000 halal certificates for MSMEs.

"As promised yesterday, the local government, in collaboration with Baznas, will assist with 1,000 halal certifications for MSMEs. Thank God, we will cover the costs by optimizing the donations from our civil servants," he said.

The program is expected to help business actors improve product competitiveness, expand market access, and strengthen consumer confidence.

According to Herdiat, the strength of regional development is also supported by the strong spirit of community mutual cooperation, which is reflected in participation in various social and economic empowerment programs.

"With togetherness, faith, continued effort, and prayer, God willing, Ciamis will continue to progress. Nothing is impossible if it is God's will," he said.

Head of Bank Indonesia Tasikmalaya Representative Office, Laura Rulida Eka Sari Putri, stated that developing the sharia economy is one way to expand market access and increase sustainable economic growth.

"This peninsula is a platform to strengthen market access and expand halal products," he said.

Laura believes Ciamis has great potential in developing a sharia economic ecosystem through its rich culinary, cultural, and tourism sectors.

Bank Indonesia, together with the Salman Halal Center of the Bandung Institute of Technology, has assisted 15 MSMEs in the Karangkamulyan Rest Area to obtain halal certification as part of the development of the SPECIAL Zone.

The area is expected to become a center of economic growth that connects the tourism, MSMEs, and creative economy sectors, thereby providing broader benefits for the people of Ciamis Regency.

(Ciamis Regency Communications and Information Service/bhf)