In an effort to further promote and help the country’s small and medium-sized fashion enterprises, the Indonesia Exporters and Handicraft Producers Association (Asephi) will present a fashion exhibition and trade show, named “Folk ‘n Vogue: 100% Indonesia,” at the Assembly Hall of Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Sept. 7 to 11.
Fashion is a darling among Indonesia’s creative industries, Thamrin Bustami, Asephi’s national chairman pointed out.
“A lot of international brands see Indonesia as a potential market and they come and sell their products in this country, making it hard for local SMEs to survive,” said Thamrin, adding that many more international brands will be invading Indonesia’s market with the onset of Asean Economic Community (AEC) of, said during a press conference in Jakarta recently
According to the data of Indonesia’s ministry of trade, the industry contributed the substantial amount of Rp 181 trillion ($13 billion) in 2013, or about two percent of Indonesia’s GDP in that year. The industry also employs around 4 million Indonesian workers.
Despite these promising figures, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country’s fashion industry struggle to survive. They find it hard to fight well-established international competitors entering the local market.
According to Asephi, any SME that makes products in Indonesia with materials sourced from within the country are eligible to take part in the exhibition.
“Their products should be well-designed and well-made,” said Thamrin. “And the SMEs should also be ready to produce in large quantity should the buyers demand.”
For the event, Asephi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs and Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (Kadin), will also invite foreign buyers.
“The event will definitely boost the country’s fashion industry,” said Dhonni Arif Faizin, chairman of Asephi’s Jakarta chapter. “We’ll invite foreign buyers, who will bring in foreign exchange to this country.”
Participating SMEs are also given an opportunity to present their products to the buyers through a special “Marketplace” presentation session.
“The [session] will be held in a special room, where each SME can present their company and products,” said Dhonni.
The five-day event will also host the “Fashion Marathon,” a series of fashion shows by Indonesia’s senior and young fashion designers.
