Indonesia`s textiles and textile products (TPT) are highly competitive in global market that expansion could place Indonesia among the world`s largest TPT producers and suppliers, the Minister said here on Thursday .
The government has continued to push for the expansion of the TPT industry, he said.
TPT industry could have greater contribution to the country`s economy especially as it is labor intensive and export oriented, he said.
"The government is confident that TPT industry could expand and grow placing the country among the rank of world`s largest producers of textiles especially as the structure of the country`s TPT industry is integrated from the upstream to downstream sectors and the quality its products have been well known in the global market," the Minister said.
Meanwhile, he said, a number of strategic steps have been prepared that the country`s TPT industry could enter the digital era , adding, in three years to come the Industry Ministry is set to jack up the capacity of the upstream sector to promote synthetic fiber production.?
Among the steps to be taken is cooperation with or to attract investment by companies producing high quality synthetic fiber, he said, adding ?This also would reduce dependence on imports."
Other attempts include to encourage utilization of digital technology such as 3D printing, automation, and internet of things, he said.
"Transformation is believed to be able to optimize efficiency and productivity. Therefore, we will develop clusters of integrated textile industry connected to technology of Industry 4.0.," he said.
In line with the economic growth and and shift in demand from basic clothing to functional dress such as sport clothing, the country`s TPT industry needs to increase its production capacity, he said.
Director of Textile, Leather, Footwear and Multifarious Industries of the Industry Ministry Muhdori expressed optimism that the country`s TPT industry could grow 4-6 percent this year.
Last year the industry grew 3.45 percent - a significant growth from the previous year`s growth of 1.76 percent, Muhdori noted.
?Around 30 percent of the country`s production of ready made wear is to meet domestic consumption and the bulk of 70 percent is exported," he said.
The Industry Ministry recorded that the export value of the country`s TPT products reached US$12.58 billion in 2017 or an increase of 6 percent from the previous year.
In addition, the TPT industry contributed Rp150.43 trillion to the country`s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2017, Muhdori said.
Currently the government is seeking comprehensive economic cooperation with the United States and the European Union to expand the market of the country`s TPT.
"Currently, the United States and Europe are among our targets of market expansion for out TPT," Muhduri said.
Reporting by Sella Panduarsa Gareta
Editing by A Saragih, Eliswan
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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