Fadli Zon Targets Africa as a New Market for Nusantara Textiles, Collaborating with International Designers

Fadli Zon receives a meeting with fashion designer Ivan Gunawan at the Ministry of Culture Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (29/7). (IST)

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon opened the opportunity for the expansion of Nusantara textiles to the African market as part of a strategy to strengthen Indonesian cultural diplomacy. The area is considered to have great potential because the motifs of traditional clothing have similarities with batik.

The idea was conveyed by Fadli Zon when he received a meeting with fashion designer Ivan Gunawan at the Ministry of Culture Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (29/7). The meeting discussed the development of a culture-based fashion industry as well as its use as a diplomatic instrument and economic driver.

Fadli said that the promotion of Indonesian textiles needs to be expanded to countries that have not been touched much so far. One of them is Africa.

"So that it goes international, we can promote batik or textiles to other parts of the world. Countries in Africa have not been touched by our textiles, although they are very potential. The motifs of traditional African clothing also have similarities with batik," said Fadli.

According to Fadli, strengthening cultural diplomacy can also be carried out through collaboration with international designers who are involved as cultural ambassadors to introduce Indonesian textiles in the global market.

In addition to expanding the market, Fadli highlighted the importance of intellectual property (IP) protection for designers who create new batik motifs. This protection is considered to increase the economic value of creative works while strengthening the cultural industry ecosystem.

He assessed that the innovation of designers not only produces fashion products, but also opens up opportunities for craftsmen to develop businesses that have an impact on the community's economy.

During the meeting, Fadli also expressed his support for the fashion show agenda initiated by Ivan Gunawan. According to him, this activity can be a space to introduce textiles to the younger generation while connecting tradition with modern fashion trends.

Ivan Gunawan welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the Ministry of Culture. He assessed that fashion and textiles can be an effective educational medium to introduce the richness of Indonesian culture to the public.

"This year, in the spirit of Indonesia's independence euphoria, we also plan to create a fashion installation that is open to the public so that students, fashion schools, and the public can see the beauty of our textiles," said Ivan.

Fadli hopes that batik and Nusantara textiles will be increasingly known as an Indonesian cultural identity at the global level, as well as an instrument of cultural diplomacy and a source of economic value for the national creative industry.