Industry Ministry Strengthens Development of Palm Oil-Based Craft Industry

The Ministry of Industry is strengthening the development of palm oil-based craft industries as part of efforts to boost the competitiveness of the national creative industry, expand community business opportunities, and support the implementation of a sustainable circular economy. “The craft industry is a sector with great potential for further development because it can create high added value, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen regional economies,” said Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday. He added that the government continues to strengthen the craft industry ecosystem through human resource capacity building, product innovation development, and market access expansion. The minister noted that the development of the craft industry is also directed at optimising the use of domestic raw materials and supporting the implementation of a circular economy. The ministry recorded that the export value of the craft industry in the first quarter of 2026 reached US$165.27 million, or approximately Rp2.97 trillion. This achievement represents a 4.08 per cent increase compared to the same period the previous year, reflecting growing international market appreciation for Indonesian craft products. Head of the Ministry’s Standardisation and Industrial Services Policy Agency, Emmy Suryandari, emphasised that increasing the competitiveness of the national craft industry requires synergy between the government, business actors, and various stakeholders.