Government To Support Handicraft Industry

The Jakarta Globe, Dian Ariffahmi & Teguh Prasetyo, 22 December 2008

The government plans to host hundreds of promotional events and trade shows in 2009, which it has dubbed the “Year of Creative Industries” in response to complaints that it isn’t doing enough to stop foreign producers from cashing in on Indonesia’s cultural heritage by selling imitation handicrafts, officials have said. 

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will officially launch the campaign today in Jakarta. 

Traditional Indonesian products such as batik are increasingly being imported from countries such as China and Malaysia, drawing complaints from local producers. 

“We will actively promote Indonesia’s traditional culture so the world can learn about our heritage,” said Subagyo, director general for domestic trade at the Ministry of Trade. 

Trade Minister Mari Pangestu said the government would promote local products through events and help Indonesians working in the creative industries to protect intellectual property. 

The creative industries, which include sectors such as handicrafts, fashion, film and furniture production, make significant contributions to Indonesia’s gross domestic product and employ 5.4 million people, Pangestu said. 

“People from around the world will soon be able to recognize authentic Indonesian batik,” Pangestu said. “Some countries may claim to have similar batik, but they don’t.” 

The Trade Ministry has invited young entrepreneurs from 14 creative industries to showcase their products at promotional events and trade shows next year. 

Tonton Taufik, a businessman who exports rattan furniture products to more than 50 countries, praised the government initiative, saying it would help accelerate growth in the creative industries. He said he had earned $1.5 million this year by exporting his own products and helping other rattan and handicraft producers expand production and exports to overseas markets. 

“I work at home and market my rattan furniture on the Internet, and my shipments to overseas markets have been increasing steadily every year,” he said. 

Film-industry professionals, meanwhile, say Indonesian moviemakers have limited exposure overseas and almost exclusively rely on local audiences. Mira Lesmana, one of the country’s most critically acclaimed young directors, said Indonesian filmmakers should start seeking international recognition. 

Adrian Elkana, director of Castle Productions, the only producer of animated films in Indonesia, said the film industry had the potential to expand domestic and foreign sales. 

Indonesia’s animation industry has already been outsourcing on foreign film productions for several years, he said. 

Film critics “have been encouraging local filmmakers to produce and export animated films that are based on Indonesian culture and characters, but still suited to contemporary trends and the demands of teenagers,” Adrian said. 

Indonesia’s exports have slowed down in recent months due to the global economic slowdown. Exports in October fell 11.6 percent from September, although they were up 4.9 percent compared to the same month last year. 

Non oil and gas exports reached $9 billion, or down 8.1 percent from September.