<![CDATA[Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in supporting Indonesia’s national economy. However, many MSME actors encounter obstacles in obtaining halal certification, particularly due to limited understanding of procedures and administrative requirements. In response to this issue, the Surabaya City Government, through the Office of Cooperatives, MSMEs, and Trade, provides free halal certification facilitation for MSMEs. This study aims to identify the challenges faced by MSMEs in Kelurahan Keputran, Surabaya, in the halal certification process and to evaluate the effectiveness of government-facilitated assistance as an effort to empower MSMEs. This study employed a qualitative approach using purposive sampling involving 74 MSMEs. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and supporting documentation and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key barriers and assess the impact of the assistance provided. The findings indicate that most MSME actors initially had limited understanding of halal certification procedures. Nevertheless, the free assistance and facilitation provided by the Surabaya City Government proved effective in improving MSMEs’ understanding of halal certification and its role in enhancing product competitiveness and market access. This study emphasizes the importance of continuous assistance and simplified administrative processes to strengthen MSME empowerment and competitiveness at both national and international levels.]]>
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