Ministry of Industry emphasises business matching to strengthen craft SME cooperation
Jakarta (ANTARA) — The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) has emphasised the importance of business matching events as a means of strengthening cooperation and expanding market access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the national craft industry.
“Through the business matching forum, craft SME operators can interact directly with buyers and industry partners, thereby opening up broader opportunities for cooperation. Furthermore, this activity also serves to strengthen the national craft industry ecosystem and enhance its competitiveness,” stated Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.
The Minister also noted that the craft industry is one of the sectors with significant potential to increase economic value whilst strengthening Indonesia’s cultural identity in the global market.
According to the Minister, strengthening connectivity between SME operators and buyers and industry partners in business matching events is an important factor in driving growth of the national craft industry.
Through the Directorate General of Small, Medium and Miscellaneous Industries (IKMA), the Ministry of Industry is hosting the 2026 Business Matching for Craft SMEs in Yogyakarta on 10 March 2026.
The event will bring together craft SME operators with various potential buyers, industry partners, associations, and stakeholders from the hospitality sector, including hotels and restaurants.
Directorate General of IKMA Reni Yanita explained that business matching events are one of her office’s strategies to expand marketing networks whilst enhancing SME readiness to enter wider markets.
The Directorate General added that Indonesian craft products have proven capable of penetrating export markets and demonstrating sufficiently positive performance.
Based on Ministry of Industry data, the value of Indonesian craft product exports in 2025 reached USD 806.63 million, an increase of 15.46 per cent compared to 2024, which was recorded at USD 698.62 million.
The primary markets for Indonesian craft products include China, Taiwan, the United States, Japan, and countries in the European region.
“This increase in export performance demonstrates that national craft products have significant potential to continue developing in the global market. Therefore, improving product quality, design innovation, production quality consistency, and strengthening marketing networks are matters that must continue to be reinforced by craft SME operators,” said Reni.
The 2026 Business Matching for Craft SMEs will be attended by 50 craft SME operators from various regions across Indonesia.