Fashion Industry Strengthens Competitiveness through Innovation and Collaboration Events

Opening of ILF Expo 2026 and IGT Expo 2026 (Photo: Dok. Krista Exhibitions Group)

JAKARTA - Many people know fashion only from the final look, such as clothing pieces, clothing styles, or trends that circulate on social media.

In fact, behind a piece of cloth or a pair of shoes that are worn every day, there is a long series of processes involving the leather, footwear, textile, and garment industries. Starting from the processing of raw materials, design, production, and finally reaching the hands of consumers.

Understanding this process chain is important, not only for industry players, but also for the wider community who want to be literate about how the fashion products they wear are actually made. This kind of education also helps the public appreciate the added value at each stage of production, as well as understand Indonesia's position in the world fashion industry map.

In Indonesia, the leather, footwear, textile, and garment sectors have long been known as one of the backbone of national manufacturing. This sector absorbs millions of workers, contributes to foreign exchange from exports, and is home to thousands of small and medium-sized businesses spread across various regions.

In the midst of tight global supply chain competition, the ability of this industry to continue to innovate and establish international business networks is the key to ensuring that Indonesia is not only a production location, but also a player that is taken into account in the world market.

It is this spirit that emerged in the opening of the Indo Leather & Footwear (ILF) Expo 2026 and Indo Garment & Textile (IGT) Expo 2026 which was officially held at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta.

Entering its 19th year, this international exhibition organized by Krista Exhibitions Group is again a stage for innovation in the leather, footwear, textile, and garment industries, as well as strengthening Indonesia's position as one of the fashion manufacturing centers in Asia.

The event was officially opened by the Minister of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, as a form of government support for strengthening the national manufacturing sector.

A total of 210 participants took part in this year's exhibition, including 50 local MSMEs and industry players from 14 countries, presenting a variety of innovations ranging from leather products, footwear, textiles, garments, raw materials, and accessories, to the latest automation technology and manufacturing solutions.

CEO of Krista Exhibitions Group, Daud D. Salim, emphasized that ILF and IGT Expo are designed not only as a product showcase, but also a collaboration platform that brings together all stakeholders in the industry. Starting from manufacturers, suppliers of raw materials, technology providers, to prospective investors and international buyers.

"ILF Expo and IGT Expo are strategic platforms that bring together players in the leather, footwear, textile, and garment industries to showcase innovations, expand business networks, and strengthen the competitiveness of the Indonesian manufacturing industry in the global market," said Daud at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, Thursday, August 6, 2026.

"We hope that this exhibition will be able to encourage investment, accelerate the adoption of technology, and open wider export opportunities for Indonesian products," he added.

In addition to being a showcase of technology and innovation, this year's exhibition is also enlivened by a number of supporting agendas. There is a National AGTI Seminar entitled "Building a Competitive, Sustainable TPT Industry and Becoming a Key Player in the National and International Supply Chain", as well as the ILF-IGT Manufacturing Forum 2026 which carries the theme "Success in the Domestic Market, Superior in the Global Market".

This forum discusses a number of strategic agendas: revitalizing labor-intensive industries, strengthening investment, empowering MSMEs and SMEs, to how to take advantage of trade opportunities through the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA).

Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Partnership (APRISINDO), Anton J. Supit sees the export opportunities of the national footwear industry are still very large. According to him, the interest of various international brands to expand production in Indonesia needs to be balanced with the completion of a number of challenges in the country, so that this growth momentum can really be optimally utilized.

"The opportunities for the Indonesian footwear industry are still very large. Many global brands want to allocate their production to Indonesia. What we need to do is complete various homework in the country so that these opportunities can be utilized to the fullest," said Anton.

He explained that Indonesia's export contribution to the world footwear trade is actually still relatively small, a good news if seen from the perspective of the still wide open growth space.

"Indonesian footwear exports have continued to increase every year and have never declined. However, when compared to the total world exports, the proportion is still around two to three percent. This means that the potential for growth is still very large, especially with the opportunity to expand access to international markets," he said.

Anton also highlighted the importance of investment from global brands which have so far made a major contribution to the creation of national employment.

"The majority of Indonesian footwear exports come from the production of various international brands. Their presence has created large investments and absorbed a very significant number of workers. Therefore, the investment climate must continue to be maintained so that more and more opportunities enter Indonesia," he added.

On the other hand, APRISINDO also encourages the strengthening of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) so that they do not stop as small-scale business actors, but grow into industrial actors who have competitiveness in the global arena.

"In the future, we want to focus more on the development of IKM so that they grow into strong industrialists. Through innovation, improvement of production capabilities, and strengthening of the supply chain, they are expected to be an important part of the national footwear industry ecosystem," said Anton.

The fashion atmosphere is also the main attraction of this year's event through The Fashion Show, which features the latest collections made of leather, textiles, and various fashion innovations by the nation's children.

Meanwhile, the Networking Cocktail Dinner brings exhibition participants together with buyers, investors, associations, and industry partners from both within and outside the country through the business matching program, which is an area that is expected to generate new collaborations and business transactions.

With the increasing international participation and support from the government and industry associations, ILF Expo and IGT Expo 2026 are expected to be a catalyst for the growth of the Indonesian leather, footwear, textile, and garment sectors. The synergy between innovation, investment, and supply chain strengthening is believed to accelerate the steps of the national fashion industry to become more competitive in the global market.