Up until now, amid the spread of COVID-19, we are still not prepared to respond to the (demand) of PPEs, as we do not have the main materialsJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Deputy Chairman for Trade, Benny Soetrisno, opined that Indonesia’s textile industry had yet to be fully prepared to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers treating COVID-19 patients.
Soetrisno believed that the domestic textile industry's focus remains increasingly unwavering on apparel products, while the potential for non-apparel textile products was not as populated.
"For non-apparel textile products, it is still wide open. Up until now, amid the spread of COVID-19, we are still not prepared to respond to the (demand) of PPEs, as we do not have the main materials," he remarked during a virtual discussion event in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The lack of materials to produce PPE results in the need to import, for which Soetrisno sought the involvement of all relevant parties to boost the industry, as it can lead to job creation and contribute to the country's foreign exchange.
In order to advance the industry sector, Soetrisno called to optimize the three pillars of funding, power, and manpower deemed crucial to boost global competitiveness of the industry's products.
"For instance, finance institutions and funding products remain the same. I entered the industry in 1982, and it has remained the same, with the need for new funding products," he stated.
Moreover, the price of power in the industry is still considerably high from that of other South East Asian countries, thereby making the retail price more expensive and hence reducing the products' competitiveness in the global market.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi Gayati/Aria Cindya
Editor: Sri Haryati
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