The batik industry is aiming at establishing itself as a prominent export industry, with the Industry Ministry saying overseas demand will increase over the coming years.
Batik, an internationally acclaimed national heritage that offers a plethora of fabric motifs from different regions, is an industry in which the players are mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said batik exports will grow 6 to 8 percent this year from US$52.44 million in 2018.
“Batik has transformed from just a fabric to an inherent part of fashion and lifestyle,” Airlangga said during the launch of the Gelar Batik Nusantara (GBN) exhibition in Jakarta on Wednesday. “This encourages batik craftspeople and the government to develop the industry so that batik will have greater recognition across the globe.”
According to the ministry, 3,782 batik SMEs employ over 15,000 workers across the country.
Batik produced domestically has been exported to various countries, most of which are developed markets like Japan, the United States and several European countries.  
The batik industry is part of the textile and garment sector, one of the five largest manufacturing sectors, according to the Industry Ministry.
The export-oriented textile and garment sector booked US$13.22 billion in exports in 2018.
According to the Indonesian Textile Association, 40 percent of textile and garment products are exported with their main destinations being developed countries.
The association expects this year’s textile and garment exports to grow 7 percent, compared to 8.4 and 6 percent in 2018 and 2017 respectively.
Meanwhile, the government will support the industry through developing fabric quality, providing tools and machinery and opportunities for batik craftspeople to promote their goods through government-backed exhibitions such as the GBN, said Airlangga.
“We have been providing them market access through our e-smart IKM online platform for SMEs [...] and we connect them with financing from banks and other financial institutions,” he said.
The GBN, which has been held since 1996, will be held until Sunday at the Jakarta Convention Center. The exhibition aims to raise Rp 27.5 billion (US$1.9 million) and attract 13,000 local and foreign visitors.
According to The Jakarta Post’s observation, most of the exhibitors offered hand-made batik with distinctive motifs. A set of batik had a starting price of Rp 300,000, whereas most clothing was sold for between Rp 600,000 and Rp 3 million each.
The ministry’s director general for SMEs, Gati Wibawaningsih, said the batik industry was one of the few manufacturing sectors that promoted manual creativity over automation as added value.
The industry, she said, provided a positive contribution to the grassroots economy as it empowers individuals and small businesses by monetizing their culture while also preserving it.
“Admittedly, there are many cheaper batik fabrics that are machine printed and some even come from outside Indonesia,” Gati said.
“However, we have been striving to promote hand-painted batik fabric or garments and explain to customers how each of them has a unique design [...] thus justifying its higher price.”

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/05/10/batik-aims-to-industry-to-increase-exports.html