Industry Ministry Strengthens Development of Palm Oil-Based Craft Industry

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) is strengthening the development of the palm-based craft industry as part of an effort to increase the competitiveness of the national creative industry, expand business opportunities for the community, and support the implementation of a sustainable circular economy.

“The craft industry is a sector with great potential for continuous development because it is capable of creating high added value, expanding job opportunities, and strengthening regional economies,” said Minister of Industry Agus Gembwang Kartasasmita in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

The government, he continued, is constantly strengthening the craft industry ecosystem through human resource capacity building, product innovation development, and the expansion of market access.

The Minister added that the development of the craft industry is also directed towards optimising the use of domestic raw materials and supporting the implementation of a circular economy.

He noted that the export value of the craft industry in the first quarter of 2024 reached 165.27 million US dollars, or approximately Rp2.97 trillion.

This achievement represents a 4.08 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year, reflecting growing international market appreciation for Indonesian craft products.

The Head of the Agency for Industrial Standards and Services Policy (BSKJI) of the Ministry of Industry, Emmy Suryandari, emphasised that increasing the competitiveness of the national craft industry requires synergy between the government, business actors, and various stakeholders.