Govt-Yogyakarta Crafts Council Empowers Handicraft SMEs to Reach Global Market

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta —The Ministry of Industry, alongside the Regional Handicraft Council (Dekranasda) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), officially opened the 2026 Jogja Istimewa Handicraft Exhibition (PKJI) at Plasa Industri, Ministry of Industry Building, Jakarta, on Monday, August 31, 2026. The eighth annual event, running until September 3, 2026, features 52 featured small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to expand the global market access for Indonesian handicrafts.

The exhibition, themed "Jogja Handicraft: Harmony of Tradition and Innovation," showcases various craft products and traditional textiles such as batik and lurik. This strategic initiative integrates local cultural heritage with the sustainable fashion trend to compete in the international market.

Vice Executive Chairperson I of the National Handicraft Council, Loemongga Agus Gumiwang, stated that the sustainable fashion trend opens up great opportunities for the growth of Nusantara textiles. This effort is considered highly potential because Indonesian craft products possess distinct characteristics and immense artistic value.

“Indonesian textiles are exceptional not only because of the beauty of their patterns, but also because of the use of natural materials, traditional production techniques, and the skills of the artisans,” Loemongga said.

The growth of this handicraft sector showed positive momentum through a surge in national craft export values in the second quarter of 2026, reaching US$909.95 million, a 6.54 percent increase year-on-year. This economic achievement reinforces the position of culture-based handicrafts as attractive export commodities for international buyers.

Executive Chairperson of Dekranasda DIY, GKBRAA Paku Alam, emphasized the importance of maintaining regional identity amid the push for creative industry modernization. This aims to ensure that every innovation in handicraft products retains its unique character and strong appeal.

“Don’t be afraid to innovate, but stay true to Yogyakarta’s character and identity,” GKBRAA Paku Alam stated.

To support the business sustainability of the participants, the PKJI 2026 event series also features business matching sessions and technical workshops. The organization of these supporting activities is expected to build new partnership networks and boost the global competitiveness of Yogyakarta's SMEs.