Menkop Teten Please RI Become The Leader Of Hand Craft Exporters In ASEAN

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (Menkop UKM) Teten Masduki. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki hopes that Indonesia can become the leader of handicraft exporters (handicraft) in Southeast Asia, especially since Indonesia now has the largest handicraft exhibition in the region, namely Inacraft.

Teten officially opened the largest handicraft exhibition in Southeast Asia, Inacraft 2024 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Wednesday.

In his remarks, Teten appreciated the Indonesian Handicraft Exporters and Entrepreneurs Association (Asephi) for their success in lifting Inacraft branding in Southeast Asia.

He said Indonesia has a market share of around 1.25 percent in the craft industry in the world, and this figure is expected to continue to increase.

"The wealth of natural resources and the skills of Indonesian craftsmen in turning them into decorative products and special crafts is an opportunity for craft craftsmen to dominate the domestic market," said Teten.

He also appreciated Inacraft for developing the innovation of ERI's silk thread, the only one being fabricated by Indonesia, with a composition of 70 percent tencel and 30 percent fiber Eri.

Teten hopes that, with strong branding Inacraft in Southeast Asia, by 2024 Indonesia can lead as the leading exporter of handicraft products in the region.

"We hope to succeed in being included in the list of the 10 largest handicraft exporting countries in the world," he concluded.

Inacraft, which was initiated by Asephi and Mediatama Event, was held to promote Indonesian handicraft products, increase the domestic market, and open up international market opportunities as an export commodity to foreign countries.

Asephi General Chair, Muchsin Ridjan said that the organizers targeted Inacraft 2024 to be attended by 100 thousand visitors with a transaction of IDR 100 billion.

The exhibition, which will be attended by 70 to 100 buyers, is also expected to attract a trade contract of 12 million US dollars (around Rp188 billion).

Inacraft 2024 will be attended by around 1,500 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which will fill 1,066 booths.

This exhibition will occupy all JCC hall which has an area of about 20,231 square meters so that the exhibition can accommodate all promotional activities and other supporting events.

The Inacraft exhibition opens to the public at 10.00 to 21.00 WIB. The entrance ticket price is IDR 25,000, which can be purchased online at various online ticket provider services or directly at the exhibition location.