Exports of Indonesian Muslim fashion products reached US2.91 billion or Rp41.3 trillion in January-August 2021. Interestingly, most of these products were exported to non-Muslim countries or not countries that are members of the Islamic conference organization (OIC). Director of Export Product Development at the Ministry of Trade Miftah Farid said the top five export destinations for Indonesian Muslim fashion products were the United States, namely 55.85%, Japan (7.80%), Germany (5.32%), South Korea (3.12%). , and Australia (2.86%). Thus, the total exports to these five countries reached 74.95%. Meanwhile, imports of Muslim fashion were only US$0.20 billion, so that Indonesia as a whole had a surplus of US$2.71 billion.
Muslim fashion is closely known as modest fashion because the style of clothing that covers the body shape or does not highlight the body shape is called modest fashion. "Modest fashion is now no longer based on religion but on aesthetics, comfort and choice of lifestyle," said Miftah in Modest Fashion Trend Australia, Friday (22/10). Modest fashion is one of the fastest growing industries not only in Muslim countries but also non-Muslims. The world's Muslim population of 1.9 billion makes it an attractive market for the local Muslim fashion industry. Currently, the largest modest fashion producer is China, which controls 27.14% of the global market. Bangladesh is in second place (9.49) followed by Vietnam (7.23%, Germany (6.19%), and Italy (5.33%). "Our branding is still limited as the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. We want branding to move as a production base for modest fashion or halal products," he said. According to him, Indonesia has a number of advantages to be used as a production base for Muslim/moderate fashion.
Among them is the creative power of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia. The diversity of fashion products resulting from the large number of Indonesian SMEs makes locally made Muslim fashion products very different from other countries. Another strength is the national garment and textile industry. "The potential in the manufacturing sector is clearly very large, but the synergy still needs to be improved with the strength of design," he said. For the record, the textile industry and textile products is one of Indonesia's exports. In January-August this year, exports of textiles and textile products touched US$8.08 billion with the main export destination being the United States. Miftah added that Indonesia also has an established Muslim fashion market. It is time for this great potential to be worked out in a comprehensive and structured manner so that Indonesia can be more competitive in the international world. One of the countries that is being targeted to become a big market for Muslim fashion products is Australia.
The close geographical location and the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement will help increase exports of Muslim fashion products to the country. Indonesian Deputy Ambassador to Australia Mohammad Syarif Alatas said the market potential for Muslim fashion products in Australia came from the Muslim community and foreign tourists residing in the country with a total population of around 25.6 million. "Currently there are 500 thousand Muslims living in Australia while the number of Muslim foreign tourists visiting there is 5 million in 2019. The number of Muslim population is expected to continue to increase in the future," said Syarif. Exports of textile products including Muslim fashion to Australia in January-March reached AUS$64.3 million, an increase of 6.4% over the same period last year.
Chairman of the Indonesian Fashion Chamber, Ali Charisma, said that Indonesian Muslim fashion products are different from other countries and this is a distinct advantage. "Indonesian Muslim clothes can be worn by anyone, the styles are also very diverse," he said. He hopes that the Muslim fashion industry can produce necessities for autumn and winter because the demand for these products is very large, especially for traveling.
