West Java Deputy Governor Encourages Craftsmen to Innovate in Line with Modern Trends
West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan has stated that the region’s large human resources, supported by cultural diversity and tradition, are strong capital for growing the creative economy across West Java. He believes this foundation allows industrial centres in the region to compete at the national level.
He encouraged craftsmen throughout the region to continue innovating in line with modern trends, as this directly impacts their economic income. “I ask for innovation to continue to be improved, because West Java has cultural and traditional wealth. If this is linked to the use of digital technology, it will increase economic income from this craft sector,” Erwan said in a written statement.
He made these remarks while opening the 2026 West Java Craft Week (PKJB) at the Trans Luxury Hotel in Bandung on Friday (26/6). Erwan noted that the presence of PKJB 2026 is concrete proof of the West Java Provincial Government’s efforts to encourage the craft sector to play an important role in realising the vision of ‘Jabar Istimewa’ (Special West Java). “PKJB is a real manifestation of the West Java Provincial Government and the National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) in promoting crafts and cultural preservation as a cultural destination,” Erwan stated.
Meanwhile, the Head of Bank Indonesia (BI) Representative Office for West Java, Junanto Herdiawan, revealed that BI remains committed to supporting the development of MSMEs. This includes the fashion sector, through business capacity building, digitalisation, expansion of financing access, and broadening market access both domestically and internationally.
According to him, the fashion industry has become a creative economy sub-sector that has boosted economic growth in West Java. This industry involves many business actors, ranging from craftsmen, tailors, and designers to convection business owners, photographers, models, and digital marketing players. He expressed confidence that industrial centres in West Java can increase the community’s economic income.