The activities of small and medium industries (SMIs) in the craft and wastra sectors have made a significant contribution to the national economy, because both industries are labor-intensive sectors that affect public welfare. Strategic steps are therefore needed to improve the capabilities of craft and wastra SMIs so that they are competitive globally.
The Ministry of Industry and the National Crafts Council (Dekranas) are committed to continuing to collaborate to increase productivity and strengthen the competitiveness of the archipelago's craft and wastra SMIs through various development programs, such as assistance, technical guidance, webinars and facilitating participation in exhibitions. These programs are held every year to develop and promote local craft and wastra to wider markets.
“Kemenperin and Dekranas actively work together to keep providing space for recognition and business development for craft and wastra SMIs, so that our SMIs are increasingly motivated to apply innovation and technology and improve their marketing capabilities to dominate domestic and foreign markets,” said the Director General of Small, Medium and Miscellaneous Industries (IKMA), Reni Yanita, in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (15/7).
The collaboration between Kemenperin and Dekranas took the form of a series of SMI development activities, also held to commemorate Dekranas's 45th anniversary. The peak of the Dekranas anniversary celebration was held on 9–11 July 2025 at the Balikpapan Sport and Convention Center (BSCC) Dome, East Kalimantan.
The event was opened by the Chair of Dekranas, Selvi Gibran Rakabuming Raka. In her remarks, Selvi emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation and the use of digital technology as drivers of the competitiveness of Indonesian craft products in national and international markets.
“The Vice President's wife is optimistic that Indonesia's diverse craft products, rich in cultural values, can be loved by domestic consumers and penetrate global markets. The key lies in innovation, technology and uniqueness conveyed through the right storytelling, while still paying attention to environmental and socio-cultural sustainability,” Reni said.
At the peak of the Dekranas anniversary celebration in Balikpapan, Kemenperin, through Ditjen IKMA as Ex Officio of the Competitiveness Division, facilitated two booths for six leading SMIs. Two SMIs were participants in the Road to the Dekranas Anniversary assistance program, namely a beadwork SMI from Balikpapan City and a woven textile SMI from North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province. The other four are SMIs supported from various regions: Wastraloka from Yogyakarta, Vinto Craft and Batik Diana from Jambi, and Borneo Accessories from Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan.
The Dekranas craft product exhibition featured a total of 170 craft booths from 38 provinces and 514 regencies/cities. A total of 80 local MSMEs from Balikpapan also took part.
On the same occasion, Ditjen IKMA also held a talk show titled “Local Crafts, Global Power: Collaboration in Design, Standardization and Innovation Toward a Competitive Creative Industry”. The event featured speakers from various institutions and industry players. The talk show also explored the importance of synergy between design innovation, quality standardization and cross-sector collaboration as the foundation of a highly competitive and sustainable craft industry.
The Director of Chemical, Clothing and Craft SMIs, Budi Setiawan, said the synergy between Kemenperin and Dekranas is expected to be a driving force for creating strong collaboration in the SMI ecosystem, supported by the role of regional governments and Dekranasda.
“So that SMI craftsmen and entrepreneurs remain enthusiastic about creating and bringing Indonesia's good name to global markets,” Budi concluded.
Source: Press Release of the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia