The Ministry of Industry is committed to promoting the development of the sports industry amid the growing trend of healthy lifestyles. In supporting the National Sports Grand Design (DBON), Kemenperin sees this trend as a potential market niche for apparel, footwear and sports equipment industries to grow and thrive in local and international markets, strengthening and advancing the country's sports sector.
“In supporting the development of sports in the country, I see three industrial subsectors that deserve our joint attention: sportswear, sports shoes and sports equipment,” Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said when opening the Indonesia Sport & Active Wear Exhibition (ISAW) 2024 in Jakarta on Wednesday (31/7).
Agus said the performance and competitiveness of the sportswear industry must keep being boosted, because the clothing, textile and apparel sector makes a large economic contribution, although in the past two years the apparel sector has faced challenges in export and domestic markets. In Q1-2024, the apparel sector's contribution to non-oil and gas processing industry GDP still contracted by 3% compared with the same period in 2023.
“I hope there will be quick and effective steps to accelerate the growth of the sportswear industry, especially to boost apparel industry performance,” he said.
The Minister hopes more domestic sports fashion brands will be able to produce sportswear with superior features. For example, sportswear that is elastic, light, comfortable, breathable, sweat-absorbing and quick-drying, in varied colors and styles, is key to competing with international brands that still dominate the Indonesian market. “In terms of price, local sportswear is of course far more affordable,” the Minister said.
Even so, Agus praised sportswear SMIs that have been able to compete with international brands, including the TKS brand. The SMI is currently processing international certification to become one of six global brands, with the potential to target markets in 62 countries where taekwondo is practiced. The Minister is also proud of the HAKA brand, a pencak silat sportswear producer that uses functional textile technology to meet athletes' ergonomic needs. “Hopefully at international sporting events, whether the SEA Games or the Olympics, Indonesia, especially in pencak silat, will be able to make its mark and win many awards,” the Minister stressed.
Meanwhile, demand for sports shoes is also growing rapidly along with the rising healthy lifestyle trend. Sports shoes are among the nine non-oil and gas processing industry commodities with the largest export value. Exports of sports shoes in January–May 2024 reached USD 1.86 billion, up 1.04% from the same period in 2023. “I hope more and more people will get to know and use domestically made sports shoes,” he said.
Sports equipment manufacturers can also expand their markets. For example, domestic industry is now fully capable of producing and exporting shuttlecocks, footballs, volleyballs, table tennis tables and other sports equipment used in local (PON, IBL, Pro Liga) and international (FIFA World Cup) competitions.
The sports equipment industry, with 65 business units, falls into the large and medium industry category and employs 12,000 workers according to 2023 BPS data. Sports equipment exports in January–May 2024 reached USD 107.4 million, a 4.4% contraction from the same period in 2023. “Sharp insight and the right strategy are needed to win the competition in sports equipment, especially in overseas markets,” the Minister stressed.
To boost the sports industry, the Minister also keeps stressing the importance of the Proud of Made in Indonesia Movement, inviting the public to choose original local brands and not buy cheap pirated versions of foreign brands. “We must never tire of campaigning together for Proud of Made in Indonesia in all sectors, especially sports,” the Minister concluded.
Source: Press Release of the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia