The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) is optimistic that the national economy can grow strongly, driven by various industrial subsectors, including the craft industry. The development potential of the domestic craft industry is considered quite large, in terms of both production and market, as Indonesia has many craft-producing regions.
“The business opportunities for craft commodities in Indonesia are very large, especially given Indonesia's abundant natural wealth, which can be processed into unique craft products full of cultural value,” the Director General of Small, Medium and Miscellaneous Industries, Reni Yanita, said in Jakarta on Thursday (14/9).
Throughout 2022, national craft product exports reached USD 949 million, up from USD 916 million in 2021. Indonesia's craft market share reached about 2.5% of the world market.
“The craft industry has proven it can survive the pandemic, because it relies more on the skills and innovation of its practitioners than on large capital. More and more young people are creating classy craft products in terms of design, innovation and local wisdom, with the potential to break into export markets and boost the national economy,” Reni continued.
“With the post-pandemic economic recovery and the rising flow of domestic and foreign tourists, we hope artisans in various regions, especially those that rely on tourism, can develop their businesses again,” she added.
To support the craft industry, the Directorate General of IKMA routinely runs programs for developing SMI centers, growing new industrial entrepreneurs, technical guidance, the Indonesia Fashion and Craft Awards competition, business incubation and machinery and equipment restructuring facilitation. “We also help SMIs take part in national and international exhibitions and open access to business-to-business partnerships,” she said.
On 13–17 September 2023, the Directorate General of IKMA helped ten craft and fashion SMIs take part in the Kriyanusa 2023 Exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center. These ten SMIs have previously received mentoring and guidance from the Directorate General of IKMA or the National Crafts Council (Dekranas).
The ten SMI brands include Milinge Bags from Surakarta; Griya 99 Permata, which produces jewelry and took part in the Aku Siap Ekspor program; and Menday Craft, an OVOP SMI making woven crafts. Mitra Wastra Nusantara and Wastraloka, with crafts combining wastra, also took part in the exhibition.
The other SMIs are Kirana Cipta Lestari; Ayumu Gendout’s, fostered by the Bali Creative Industry Center (BCIC); Kanantra, with recycled wood lamps; Mahagony Citra Selaras, with home décor products; and Orange Kriya, with wastra products.
In its sixth edition, Kriyanusa carried the theme “Excellent Crafts, Advanced Indonesia” with the tagline Love Crafts, Proud of Made in Indonesia. Besides the exhibition, featuring 280 SMIs or craft brands, there were various activities for visitors and craft industry players, including talk shows titled “Starting a Hassle-Free and Safe Export Business for MSMEs” and “Downstreaming SME Craft Products Protected by Minister of Trade Regulation No. 50 of 2020”. There was also a demonstration of Gedogan weaving from Bira, Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi. Visitors could also watch fashion shows, try creating with plastic waste and used fabric, and paint on ceramics.
Reni, who is also Secretary General of Dekranas, said the Kriyanusa exhibition is a joint strategy of Dekranas, the central government, regional governments and businesses to preserve, develop and promote the diversity of Indonesian craft products. “Through this exhibition, craft industry players from all over Indonesia can display their best products to collectors and consumers, which can then increase regional and national economic activity,” she said.
Source: Press Release of the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia