I think this is a challenge as well as an opportunity to encourage and nurture the industry.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Arsjad Rasjid, for the development of the domestic sports industry.

According to the ministry, the domestic sports industry is not taken seriously, thus there are not many local products from the industry which can compete in the international market.

According to ministry data, around 250 companies are engaged in the sports industry; however, only one company has been certified so far.

"It is not easy for our industry to be able to enter the international market since it is the international federation of the respective sports which determines the certification and standardization of the products," the minister said in a virtual press conference.

He said he hoped that the collaboration with Kadin would help companies engaged in the sports industry to meet international standards and become certified so that people will no longer hesitate to use domestic services and products.

Related news: Kadin to develop national sports industry

Many parties still used foreign services and products at the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games, Amali said. Hence, if it meets international standards, the sports industry can be a promising sector as athletes from many sports disciplines are competing professionally, he added.

Moreover, the number of sports industries meeting international standards will also have an impact on national economic growth since the production of sports goods and equipment will also increase, he pointed out.

“I think this is a challenge as well as an opportunity to encourage and nurture the industry. Hence, I hope Mr. Rasjid’s chairmanship in Kadin will be able to increase at least 10 standardized sports industries certified by international federations. Thus, we can be proud to use our products at international level competitions," Amali said.

Meanwhile, Rasjid said he expects Kadin along with the entrepreneurs to contribute to building the sports industry as well as help the nation emerge from the economic challenges created by the pandemic.

"Today, we face the challenge of realizing the Indonesian sports industry together, thus it can compete domestically and internationally to support our domestic economy," he remarked.

Related news: "Sports and Technology" empower the high-quality development of the sports industry



Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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