VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ministry of Industry continues to encourage the export of handicraft products by facilitating the Small and Medium Industries engaged in the sector to promote to various countries. Minister of Industry, Airlangga Hartarto after attending the opening of the Kriyanusa Exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center -JCC in Jakarta, Wednesday, 26/9-2018, as quoted by Antara News Agency, said that export potential continues to be encouraged, because many handicrafts have pretty good markets abroad. He also pointed out that the exhibition which is held every year displays handicraft products with better quality so that Indonesian handicraft products are increasingly known to the world. He emphasized that his Ministry has facilitated 15 Small and Medium Industries to participate in the exhibition inaugurated by Chairperson of the National Craft Council -Dekranas, Mufidah Jusuf Kalla and attended by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo. Thousands of Indonesian handicraft products are exhibited in Kriyanusa 2018, which was initiated by the National Craft Council (Dekranas). Mufidah Jusuf Kalla in the opening remarks of Kriyanusa 2018 emphasized that this industry has a very strategic role in the national economy because historically, it is very closely related to the daily life of the Indonesian people. According to Mufidah, the handicraft products can be a mainstay of the regional economy and livelihoods for local people. The craft industry can utilize natural resources and develop community creativity. Mufidah also remarked that cultural and artistic wealth in Indonesia is an inspiration and development of handicraft products. Therefore, it is a shared responsibility to continue to maintain, to explore, and to develop while enriching the creativity of Indonesian handicraft products originating from Indonesian cultural arts. She added that the elements of creation, innovation and technology need to be improved to maintain the competitiveness of Indonesian products in the global market. Kriyanusa 2018 is held from 26 to 30 September 2018. Around 350 participants take part by displaying thousands of handicraft products from each region. A number of handicraft products on display include jewelry stones, batik fabrics, woven fabrics, Songket fabrics, Jumputan fabrics, ceiling lamps or hanging lamps, snake skin bags, as well as household items typical of Indonesian cultural arts. Meanwhile, Director General of Small and Medium Industries at the Ministry of Industry, Gati Wibawaningsih said that her side is aiming to increase the high export value in 2018. In 2017, the export value of the Small and Medium Industries’ products reached US$ 251 million dollars. In addition, the Ministry of Industry will also facilitate eight Small and Medium Industries from 15 Small and Medium Industries to attend the world's largest craft exhibition -Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany. At the previous Ambiente exhibition, Indonesia recorded a transaction worth US$705 thousand dollars in sales on the spot, while following orders from the event could reach US$11 million dollars. According to Gati Wibawaningsih, for the exhibition, the target will increase, because the global economy has also improved.