Fashion products have become a significant export commodity from Yogyakarta Special Region (DIJ), including non-knitted garments, knitwear, and leather goods, contributing to more than 50% of total exports. According to Syam Arjayanti, Head of the DIJ Industry and Trade Office, the primary export destinations for DIJ's fashion products are the United States, Japan, and Germany, with ready-to-wear clothing remaining the top exported item. This indicates a strong demand and promising future prospects for DIJ's fashion exports. From January to June 2024, DIJ's export value reached USD 246.03 million, an increase compared to USD 232.6 million in the same period in 2023. This growth has fueled optimism for further enhancing DIJ's export performance in 2024. The region's exports have been dominated by non-knitted garments, household furniture and lighting, leather goods, woven products, and knitwear over the years.
The DIJ government aims to position Jogja as a global fashion center by blending its rich cultural heritage with local expertise and innovation. Unlike competing regions, Jogja aspires to be known for its unique and sustainable craft fashion. The government is actively supporting and facilitating the development of fashion products to integrate them into a more robust fashion ecosystem, with hopes that DIJ fashion will set future trends and become a global fashion hub. To achieve this, various promotional activities, including exhibitions and business matching, have been conducted. These efforts are intended to help fashion entrepreneurs find potential buyers and expand their business networks. Syam emphasized the government's commitment to assisting small and medium fashion enterprises (IKM) in thriving in both domestic and international markets.
