Makassar Dekranasda Showcases MSME Crafts to International Delegation

The Makassar Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) showcased handicrafts by local MSMEs to an international delegation as part of the Indonesia Gastrodiplomacy Series (IGS) 2026. Dekranasda Makassar Chairperson Melinda Aksa described IGS as a crucial moment to open a new chapter in cultural diplomacy while introducing Makassar’s creative economic potential to the world. “This is the beginning of a long journey that we hope will become a valuable legacy for the city of Makassar. Makassar is ready to be a wide-open gateway for international cooperation,” Melinda said at the local trade exhibition titled “The Taste and Craft of Makassar” held at the MNEK Monument area, Losari Beach, Makassar, on Wednesday. Through the exhibition, various handicrafts, traditional woven textiles, fashion items, and distinctive Makassar cuisine were introduced to foreign delegates as a representation of South Sulawesi’s rich and diverse cultural identity. Melinda stated that the IGS event is not only a platform for promoting culture and cuisine but also a momentum to strengthen Makassar’s position on the international stage. She also expressed appreciation to the Makassar City Government for its support and trust in local traditional weavers and creative economy players, enabling them to present their works in an international forum. She assessed that the city government’s strategic vision has served as a bridge connecting local cultural wealth with broader global economic opportunities, while opening promotional avenues for the region’s flagship products. “Makassar has long been known as a gateway in Eastern Indonesia and a meeting point for various cultures, ideas, and friendships that continue to grow to this day,” she said. According to Melinda, this spirit of openness is reflected in the exhibition, which presents the culinary richness, crafts, and flagship products created by local entrepreneurs and artisans. She added that every work displayed is not merely an economic product but also a representation of tradition, creativity, and cultural identity passed down through generations and continuously evolving through MSME innovation. Through this activity, Dekranasda Makassar hopes that local products will gain wider international recognition, expand opportunities for creative economy cooperation, and strengthen Makassar’s role as a city actively building cultural diplomacy through its heritage wealth and community creativity.