HIMKI assesses that Indonesian crafts have strong function and philosophy to boost competitiveness
Looking ahead, we need to encourage integration between artisans, artists, and designers so that Indonesian crafts can develop not only as products but also as cultural expressions recognised globally.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The General Chairman of the Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industry Association (HIMKI), Abdul Sobur, emphasised that Indonesian craft products have strength in both functional aspects and philosophical values that can drive the competitiveness of the industry at the global level.
Sobur, in a confirmed statement in Jakarta on Thursday, stated that strengthening the artistic and design aspects in crafts is a strategic step to enhance the competitiveness of the national furniture and handicraft industry.
Quoting data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the fashion and crafts subsector is a major contributor to the creative economy with a total export value of US$28.4 billion or approximately Rp476 trillion from January to November 2025.
Therefore, to boost this performance, according to him, in the future, integration between artisans, artists, and designers needs to be encouraged so that Indonesian crafts can develop not only as products but also as cultural expressions recognised globally.
In addition, he conveyed that one platform showcasing the strong functional and philosophical aspects of the domestic craft industry is the Tatah Ukir Jepara exhibition, held from 29 April to early July 2026 at the National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta.
He said that the event serves as an important momentum in strengthening the position of Indonesian crafts as part of high-value cultural heritage.
According to him, this exhibition demonstrates that Jepara carvings not only have functional value but also strong artistic and philosophical value.
Furthermore, Sobur hopes that exhibitions like Tatah can continue to be developed as part of efforts to preserve and innovate the national craft industry.