The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Launches Bio Sneakers, Sandiaga Uno: It's Shoes That Will Degrade In The Ground

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno. (Photo: Instagram @sandiuno)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) together with the Indonesian Fiber Council (DSI) launched Bio Sneakers under the name Node or No Deforestation. A shoe product made by Indonesians, which is made from natural fibers, initiated by small industry. This product is expected to trigger the emergence of small and medium industries based on research and development (R&D).

Deputy Chairman of Kadin for Industry Johnny Darmawan said the bio sneakers were developed by young entrepreneurs with the support of the Post-Harvest Balitbang of the Ministry of Agriculture. Johnny said that almost 100 percent of the raw materials for these shoes use local trees and natural fibers.

Furthermore, Johnny said that the Bio Sneakers had the opportunity to become a host in the local market and in the global market. This is because the biological potential in the form of fiber-producing plants is very easy to find in Indonesia.

The potential for the use of natural fibers to support cellulose-based industries or the textile and footwear industry is increasingly open. Moreover, it is supported by the circulation of an important issue, namely the reduction of synthetic fiber-based composite materials that can damage the environment and have an impact on global climate change.

"Kadin fully supports the efforts of creative industry players to continue to innovate in developing natural fiber-based footwear industries. Given the abundant potential of raw materials, we are sure that the union industry in Indonesia towards a sustainable national industry will soon be realized", he said, in a virtual launch of Bio Sneakers, Tuesday, May 18.

Bio Sneakers, said Johnny, is planned to be exhibited at the world fashion event in Paris, France at the end of 2021. In fact, it will also be used during a fashion show at the event.

On the same occasion, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said that his party supports and appreciates the merging of the creative economy concept with sustainable environmental trends promoted by domestic products.

According to Sandiaga, the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing industry players to reposition, one of which is working on opportunities for existing trends, such as sustainable environmental trends.

Furthermore, Sandiaga also appreciated the concept carried by Node, one of Indonesia's Bio Sneakers products, namely shoes with local natural fibers that are produced with environmental considerations. Because they are made from food fiber, the shoe products made by local entrepreneurs can decompose.

"The term is a shoe if we plant it in the ground, in about a year it might be broken down. This Node brand, which stands for No Deforestation, is a young person branding with the concept of sustainability, we really appreciate it", he said.

Sandiaga Uno admitted that he wanted to continue to encourage industry players, especially the tourism sector and the creative economy to immediately adapt and innovate in order to seize existing opportunities.

"Let's do an all-out movement to help our MSMEs, ensure that the future economy is more sustainable, more equitable, business world programs and government programs are connected so that business actors who need support can be executed with no obstacles", he said