The Ministry of Industry continues to encourage craft and fashion industry players to elevate Indonesian wastra such as tenun and batik, which have diverse motifs and distinctive characteristics from regions across the archipelago. Moreover, Indonesia is rich in cultural diversity and natural resources whose added value can be increased to become competitive craft products.
To this end, the Directorate General of Small, Medium and Miscellaneous Industries (IKMA), in synergy with the National Crafts Council (Dekranas), held Motif Development and Natural Dyeing Assistance at the Padangsidimpuan Weaving SMI Center in March–April 2024. The activity was part of the Road to the 44th Dekranas Anniversary series, to be held on 15–18 May 2024 in Solo.
“Kemenperin and Dekranas are therefore collaborating on this activity to increase the competence of artisans so their competitiveness improves,” the First Deputy Executive Chair of Dekranas, Loemongga Agus Gumiwang, said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (14/5).
According to Loemongga, every region in Indonesia has distinctive and ever-developing flagship wastra products. One is Padangsidimpuan City in North Sumatra Province, known for its woven fabrics with patterns or motifs symbolizing the ancestral cultural attributes of the Padangsidimpuan community. Seeing this potential, Kemenperin and Dekranas are working with various parties to develop the businesses and improve the lives of artisans.
“This collaboration is a joint effort to increase the capacity of businesses in product development and improve the quality of competitive products. This is in line with the spirit of the 44th Dekranas Anniversary, themed ‘Growing Together, Advancing the Nation's Heritage’,” Loemongga continued.
The Director General of IKMA at Kemenperin, Reni Yanita, said fashion SMIs developing Indonesian wastra have great market potential. “For example, batik and batik product exports throughout 2023 were worth USD 17.53 million,” she said.
Meanwhile, batik and batik product exports in January–February 2024 rose 14 percent compared with the same period in 2023. Exports of tenun ikat reached USD 1.19 million throughout 2023, up 32 percent from USD 0.91 million in 2022 (BPS, 2024).
“Given these conditions, efforts are needed to maintain and improve batik and tenun export performance. The activity we are carrying out now is an effort to develop that potential,” Reni explained.
The weaving SMI center development assistance was carried out in three stages: motif and design development assistance on 7–8 March 2024, natural dyeing technique practice and prototyping on 18–21 March 2024, and monitoring on 1–3 April 2024.
“The 10 weavers who took part are SMIs supported by the Padangsidimpuan City Office and the Padangsidimpuan City Dekranasda,” she added.
She also said the activity is an important moment for strengthening the woven craft industry and improving technical aspects of industry, reflecting the spirit of collaboration and togetherness among various parties, including regional governments, associations, businesses and others related to Indonesia's wastra sector.
“We hope this activity will benefit weavers in developing their potential so it can have a positive impact on the local economy and keep it growing,” she said.
Road to the 44th Dekranas Anniversary
Kemenperin, through Ditjen IKMA, has provided facilitation and assistance for weaving SMIs, including in Padangsidimpuan City and Ambon City. These activities are part of the 44th Dekranas Anniversary series.
“These activities are in line with Dekranas's spirit of developing the archipelago's wastra, which can be an opportunity for the craft sector to keep contributing to the national economy,” Loemongga said at the Press Conference for the Main Event of the 44th Dekranas Anniversary in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/5).
Besides assistance at the Ambon and Padangsidimpuan weaving centers, Dekranas also held an MSME Competence Improvement Forum in Aceh and the Kelana Wastra event in partnership with state-owned enterprises.
The main event of the 44th Dekranas Anniversary will be held on 15 May 2024 in Surakarta with the theme “Growing Together, Advancing the Nation's Heritage”. The series will include a thanksgiving ceremony, an SMI product Expo, a fashion show, a talk show, a decorated car parade and Cultural Procession, as well as special stands offering Surakarta's signature cuisine.
“We hope this event will not only celebrate past achievements but also look ahead with new enthusiasm to grow and carry on Dekranas's brilliant legacy for Indonesia's leading craft products,” Loemongga said.
A total of 235 stands will take part in the Dekranas Anniversary Expo at Pamedan Pura Mangkunegaran, Surakarta, on 15–18 May 2024. The Expo will also feature daily events such as Bincang Dekranas, workshops, fashion shows and coaching clinics, as well as performances by famous artists and culinary stands.
At the press conference in Jakarta, the Director General of Small, Medium and Miscellaneous Industries at Kemenperin, Reni Yanita, said her side will take part in Bincang Dekranas on 16 May 2024 with the theme “Indonesian Fashion and Crafts Go Global”.
“Kemenperin will take part in Bincang Dekranas with topics on Digitalization of Small and Medium Industry (SMI) Products, SMI Products Go Global, and SMI Product Branding,” Reni said.
The three topics will be discussed by speakers from leading businesses: Tulola Jewelry, Niluh Djelantik Shoes and Accessories, and Abbacraft. “We are also providing a Packaging Clinic for SMIs that want to consult on their packaging to improve product performance and increase added value and competitiveness,” Reni said.
Source: Press Release of the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia