"I would like to invite batik lovers and the whole nation to make the most of the current economic revival to continue developing and diversifying our batik by exploring new colors and motifs every year to boost its appeal," he said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
In his speech while opening the Batik Nusantara Exhibition, the president extended his appreciation to batik artists, designers, and users for their contribution to the preservation and promotion of the nation's authentic artwork.
The head of state noted that batik constitutes one of the country's special artworks that depict both beauty and philosophy.
He also considers batik as a reflection of the face and dignity of the Indonesian nation.
The batik industry has created millions of job opportunities, helping numerous people sustain their lives, he affirmed.
"In this post-pandemic era, I believe that the value of batik industry's turnover will reach an ever higher level. God Willing," he said.
President Jokowi then noted that the country is currently enjoying a better rate of economic growth as compared to that during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hence, he urged batik artists and entrepreneurs to make the most of the momentum to further develop the batik industry.
The Batik Nusantara Exhibition is being held by the Indonesian Batik Foundation for a week, on August 2-6 at Senayan Park, Jakarta.
The event is drawing participation from a total of 250 batik and culinary entrepreneurs from the category of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME).
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Translator: Mentari Dwi Gayati, Tegar Nurfitra Putra Rofian
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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