Balikpapan Hosts the 45th Anniversary of Dekranas 2025: Selvi Gibran Urges Artisans to Dominate Domestic and Global Markets

28 July 2025

Meta Description: The city of Balikpapan hosts the 45th Anniversary of Dekranas 2025. Selvi Gibran invites Indonesian artisans to dominate the domestic market and penetrate the global market.

Balikpapan – The city of Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, has officially been appointed as the host for the 45th Anniversary of the National Crafts Council (Dekranas) on July 9, 2025. The celebration held at the Balikpapan Sport and Convention Center (BSCC) Dome was opened by the wife of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia and Chairwoman of Dekranas, Mrs. Selvi Gibran Rakabuming, by striking the traditional East Kalimantan musical instrument, Jatung Utang.

At the event, Mrs. Selvi Gibran was accompanied by the Daily Chair of Dekranas Mrs. Tri Tito Karnavian, Dekranas Expert Staff Mrs. Siti Farida Pratikno, Chairwoman of Dekranasda of East Kalimantan Province Mrs. Sarifah Suraidah Harum, and Chairwoman of Dekranasda of Balikpapan City Mrs. Nurlena Rahmad Mas’ud.

The opening event was enlivened by a Coastal Regional Creative Dance that portrayed Balikpapan as an industrial city with the spirit of artisans producing high-quality creative products that can penetrate the international market.

The Mayor of Balikpapan, Mr. Rahmad Mas’ud, expressed his pride in Balikpapan being entrusted to host the Dekranas anniversary. He emphasized that this celebration is not merely an annual ceremony but a strategic momentum to promote the creative industry and MSMEs toward making Balikpapan a global city.

“This 45th Anniversary aligns with Balikpapan's development toward a global city. With strong synergy, a mutual symbiotic relationship will be created between city development and the growth of the creative industry,” he said.

He also explained that the number of MSMEs in Balikpapan in 2024 reached 87,397 units, an increase of 19.23% from the previous year. The majority of MSMEs operate in the trade and service sectors, followed by the industrial sector, with growth supported by licensing facilitation, training, e-commerce utilization, and business mentoring.

Selvi Gibran's Message to Indonesian Artisans

In her speech, Mrs. Selvi Gibran Rakabuming invited all Dekranasda administrators to be more active in mentoring artisans, especially those who do not yet have a market.

“Crafts that do not yet have a market must receive special attention. Provide outreach, mentoring, and invite them to exhibitions so they can gain equal market access,” she emphasized.

In today’s digital era, artisans are expected to be able to market their products both offline and online, and to receive training related to licensing and access to capital, especially for novice artisans.

With the theme “Empowered Artisans Go Global”, Dekranas targets Indonesian craft products not only to dominate the domestic market but also to compete in the global market. This aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's vision of realizing a Golden Indonesia 2045.

Selvi Gibran: MSME Artisans Must Become an Economic Power Toward Golden Indonesia 2045

“MSME artisans must first dominate the domestic market, then increase their value to become suppliers for the global market. That’s our collective homework,” concluded Mrs. Selvi.

Series of Events for the 45th Anniversary of Dekranas in Balikpapan

The main event of the 45th Dekranas Anniversary was joined by 170 craft expo stands from 38 provinces and 514 regencies/cities, as well as involving around 80 local MSMEs from Balikpapan. The exhibition was held starting July 9 at 1:00 PM WITA until evening, and from July 10–11 starting at 10:00 AM WITA until finished.

In addition to the exhibition, there were social activities such as free health check-ups for 5,000 residents in 20 urban villages and 70 health centers, as well as free eye examinations for 800 participants. As a closing announcement, it was revealed that the 46th Dekranas Anniversary in 2026 will be held in South Sulawesi Province.

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