Trade Minister Urges Young Kudus Designers to Build Their Own Brands and Expand Market Reach

Kudus — Indonesia’s Trade Minister Budi Santoso has urged young designers in Kudus Regency, Central Java, to establish their own brands rather than working solely as freelancers, in order to compete in both national and international markets.

“Strengthening the domestic creative industry requires expanding the marketing of local products, including through partnerships with modern retailers. This approach aims to ensure that Indonesian designer works, particularly from Kudus Regency, can enter and compete in markets that have historically been dominated by foreign products,” Santoso stated in Kudus on Thursday.

Speaking after visiting vocational schools SMK NU Banat Kudus, SMK Raden Umar Said, and SMK Wisuda Karya Kudus, the minister noted that the government is promoting business matching between designers and modern retailers to enable local designer products to reach market.

“We are working with industry associations to ensure that local works can reach the market, but the requirement is that the products must be of high quality,” he said.

Santoso also advised students aspiring to become designers to establish their own brands. With brand ownership, designers gain greater control over their work and marketing strategies.

“If you remain freelancers, other brands will determine your future. That is why you must develop your own brand that will eventually dominate the market,” he explained.

The government is also promoting domestic product consumption through various programmes, including a local product usage initiative implemented every Thursday across government ministry offices.