To enhance rural development, the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, in collaboration with the industrial sector, is initiating export-oriented handmade carpet artisan villages across Indonesia. As a pilot project, the ministry partnered with HJ Karpet, a local export-oriented carpet company, to provide weaving training in Sendang Jaya Village, Bekasi, West Java. According to HJ Karpet CEO Heru Purnomo, this initiative aims to equip villagers with skills and create sustainable employment opportunities. Of the initial 40 trainees, nine have successfully mastered carpet-making, positioning them for long-term economic empowerment.
Heru envisions expanding the program to other villages, transforming them into "Carpet Villages" that blend artistry with economic opportunity. These villages could also serve as tourist attractions where visitors learn the craft firsthand. Minister Yandri Susanto emphasized that such initiatives can revive rural economies, reducing urban migration by ensuring steady job opportunities within villages. With growing international demand, this collaboration between the ministry and HJ Karpet marks a significant step toward establishing Indonesia as a global hub for handmade carpets while fostering creative home industries in rural areas.
