Indonesian minister urges development of local crafts for global market

Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian has called on regional governments and their handicraft councils (Dekranasda) to actively identify and cultivate local craft potential to penetrate global markets. This initiative aims to preserve cultural heritage while simultaneously stimulating regional economies through the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

During the closing ceremony of the 46th Anniversary of the National Handicraft Council (Dekranas) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Karnavian highlighted Indonesia's vast, yet underexplored, traditional handicraft resources. He cited intricately woven fabrics as an example of high artistic value that attracts international collectors due to their uniqueness and rarity.

Karnavian believes that Indonesia possesses significant advantages to become a global leader in the handicraft industry, including its rich cultural diversity and abundant natural resources. However, he expressed concern that despite these strengths, Indonesia remains outside the top 10 global handicraft producers. The global handicraft market is valued at approximately 500 trillion Rupiah annually, a significant opportunity that Indonesia is currently not fully capitalizing on.

The minister pointed to the potential of utilizing unique raw materials, such as pearl shell waste in Raja Ampat, which can be transformed into high-value craft products. He stressed that Indonesia's greatest asset is its unparalleled diversity in handicrafts, stemming from varied cultures, environments, and material availability across its regions. Karnavian urged stakeholders to leverage this diversity to enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian crafts on the world stage.