Sultan Encourages Yogyakarta's Crafts to Go International
The Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono (HB) X, is pushing for the quality of craft products in DIY to move up a class so they can penetrate international markets. He made the remarks while attending the Inacraft Festival 2026 at the Jogja Expo Centre (JEC) in Bantul.
Sultan said the Inacraft Festival 2026 is similar to SiBakul. SiBakul Jogja, or the Cooperative and SME Development Information System, is a digital platform run by the DIY Cooperative and SME Agency.
“Inacraft also has SiBakul members. So how do we facilitate product standardisation and shipping costs? Mobility happens as it does through SiBakul, so products can move up a class,” Sultan said at JEC, Banguntapan, Bantul, on Wednesday (15 July 2026).
“But without increasingly good quality as a foundation, it is difficult to go international,” he continued.
On the other hand, Ngarsa Dalem noted that the presence of foreign delegations at Inacraft is proof that crafts are not merely economic products, but a universal language capable of crossing national and cultural boundaries.
This year’s Inacraft theme is ‘Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana: Cultural Crafts for World Harmony’. According to Sultan, the choice of theme is no coincidence.
“The philosophy of Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana carries the teaching of continually beautifying and preserving the harmony of the world. This value is relevant to the spirit of craftsmanship itself,” he said.
Sultan said every craft product is born from the precision of the hands, patience in the process, and respect for materials and tradition. On a wider scale, these values become the foundation for creating harmony between nations through trade and cultural channels that respect one another.
“That is why Jogja is proud to be part of this long journey, and is committed to continuously strengthening its position as a leading destination for crafts, culture and tourism at the global level,” he said.
The Inacraft Festival 2026 also aligns with the direction of government policy, particularly in encouraging the growth of the creative economy based on local wisdom. Moreover, Jogja’s crafts — with their wealth of batik motifs, wood carving, pottery and silver — possess a uniqueness that other regions do not have.
“International festivals like this become a strategic bridge to introduce this wealth to the global market, while opening opportunities for sustainable trade partnerships for artisans and small and medium enterprise players,” he said.