Fashion industry can drive Indonesian economy: Minister

26 Jun '14

2 min read

The fashion industry in Indonesia can support the healthy growth of the country’s economy, according to Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu, reports Antara news agency.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Muslim wear fashion show in Jakarta, Ms. Pangestu said the value of Indonesian fashion industry has reached US$ 1.8 billion.

She said the Indonesian fashion industry grew at about 6.4 percent last year, and is expected to show a growth rate of 6-8 percent during the current year.

According to her, the fashion industry contributes about 28 percent to the nation’s creative economy. She estimates that the Muslim fashion industry’s contribution is about three percent, which throws up a huge market.

In order to make Indonesia an Asian fashion hub by 2018 and a global fashion hub by 2020, the Government has taken several measures, including grooming talented fashion designers under the Indonesia Fashion Forward.

Ms. Pangestu said the Government is helping talented fashion designers to develop collections that would enable them to face the market competition. She added that the designers are also being prepared for the Jakarta Fashion Week.

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has started organizing the Muslim fashion festival on an annual basis in Jakarta in order to support achieving the target of becoming a global hub of the Muslim fashion industry.

This year, the Indonesian Government had sponsored three local Muslim fashion designers, including Dian Pelangi, to participate in exhibitions in foreign countries.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

More Fashion News - Indonesia...