Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - A 10-member European Union parliamentary delegation on Friday visited an environmentally friendly batik project at Kebon hamlet, Bayat subdistrict, Klaten district, Central Java province.

The EU-funded batik project was built at a cost of 1.8 million euros under the EU SWITCH Asia Program.

"This project supports 600 small and medium businesses and other stakeholders in six provinces in Indonesia," Dr Werner Langen who led the delegation said.

He said the project was carried out by the Indonesian-German Chamber of Commerce (EKONID), along with association partners from academicians, chambers of commerce, regional and national authorities and the Batik Foundation.

"The project started in February 2010 and will end in January 2014," he said.

This project was among others aimed at improving the environmental indicator of the Indonesian batik industry by promoting environmentally friendly production process, he said.

"In addition, it is also designed to create environmentally aware consumers as well as to make environmental policies that support and encourage sustainable production among Indonesian small and medium batik producers," he said.

Batik was the symbol of the beautiful Indonesian culture, he said.

"We are pleased to have this cooperation to encourage environmentally friendly production businesses," he said.

He said on October 20, 2006 EU raised 78.95 million euros or US$95.22 million or Rp950 billion in funds to support the Indonesian government in rehabilitating and restoring the livelihood of earthquake victims in Central Java, Yogyakarta and West Java.(*)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
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