API Uses ART Agreement as Momentum for Textile Industry Revival
Malang, East Java - The General Chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association (API), Jemmy Kartiwa Sastraatmadja, is utilising the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Indonesia and the United States as a momentum for the revival of the Indonesian textile industry.
The agreement between Indonesia and the US provides zero per cent import tariff facilities for Indonesian textile and garment products through a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) scheme.
“The implementation of zero per cent tariffs through this agreement provides new optimism for the national textile industry,” Jemmy stated in a written remark received in Malang, East Java, on Thursday.
This policy is considered capable of increasing the competitiveness of national products in the much larger US market compared to the domestic market, while supporting around 4 million workers and providing economic impacts for 20 million Indonesians.
With current export values of around $4 billion, the national textile industry is targeting significant growth up to tenfold in the next decade.
“We hope this can become the starting point for the revival of the textile and textile products (TPT) industry, by encouraging investment inflows, improving export performance, and reactivating the entire industry ecosystem,” Jemmy said.
One step taken to utilise the ART momentum is the organisation of Southeast Asia’s largest and most comprehensive textile and garment exhibition, Indo Intertex & Inatex, on 15–18 April 2026 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta.
Indo Intertex & Inatex 2026 will be attended by more than 800 participants representing 1,500 global brands, and targeting the presence of more than 35,000 professional visitors from 29 countries.
“Indo Intertex and Inatex are presented to address the industry’s real needs, from bringing relevant suppliers, showcasing reliable technology, to creating a business environment that supports industry players in making decisions more quickly,” said Director of PT Peraga Expo, Paul Kingsen.
As the only exhibition in Indonesia that presents the entire value chain of the industry comprehensively, from machines, textile products, to printing technology and chemicals for textiles, Indo Intertex & Inatex continues to be a strategic platform that brings together industry players to accelerate growth and transformation in the national and regional textile sector.
Several flagship programmes are also presented to enrich insights and provide added value for industry players.
Interactive seminars and workshops will feature experts and practitioners to discuss current trends, strategies, and challenges in the textile and garment industry.
On the other hand, issues of sustainability and textile circularity are highlighted, encouraging industry players to better understand and implement sustainable practices that are increasingly relevant in the global market.
“We also see the quality of participation continuing to improve, in line with the market’s focus on efficiency, innovation, and sustainable manufacturing,” said Paul.