Government pushes for lurik ecosystem to be as strong as batik
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is encouraging the strengthening of the lurik industry ecosystem so that it can develop and hold a strong position like batik, including by expanding access to financing and penetrating international markets.
Deputy Minister of Cooperatives Farida Farichah, in a press statement in Jakarta on Friday, said the government supports strengthening the lurik industry ecosystem, one of which is through financing from the Revolving Fund Management Institution (LPDB) to the Karyama Kusuma Aji Tera Consumer Cooperative, also known as Lurik Prasojo, in Klaten Regency, Central Java.
The cooperative, which has sheltered lurik artisans and has been established since 1950, is expected to expand its business ecosystem and increase its business scale to penetrate foreign markets.
“This financing is not only so that the cooperative can operate, but we hope that the Aji Tera Cooperative with its Lurik Prasojo can move up a class to the international level. We want to build a weaving and lurik ecosystem that is as strong as batik,” said Farida during a working visit to the Aji Tera Cooperative in Klaten, Central Java, on Thursday (20/8).
According to her, real-sector cooperatives need to be strengthened so that they do not only operate in the savings and loan sector, but also play a role in developing local businesses and products.
The strengthening of cooperatives based on cultural heritage is also expected to open greater opportunities for local products to reach a wider market.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar assessed that lurik has the opportunity to be developed in the international market because it not only offers fashion products, but also cultural value and stories behind each motif.
According to her, global consumers are increasingly considering the narrative and meaning attached to a product. This is an opportunity for Indonesian traditional textiles, including lurik, to strengthen their competitiveness.
“Lurik has a simplicity of pattern that is very acceptable to the international market. The straight-line or dotted motifs are not merely visual, but carry a narrative of closeness to the Creator and hopes for blessings,” said Irene.
The government is also preparing a number of measures to introduce lurik to a wider market, including through cross-sector collaboration and the publication of various Lurik Prasojo motifs in national aviation media.
In addition, woven traditional textiles will also be encouraged to enter the creative economy ecosystem and pop culture to reach the younger generation market.