PANGKALPINANG, IPHEDIA.com – The National Craft Council (Dekranas) continues to strive to create and nurture new entrepreneurs while promoting the growth of a high-value, competitive craft industry.

"The Ministry of Industry, through the Directorate General of Small, Medium, and Various Industries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Dekranas, is making continuous efforts to create and develop new entrepreneurs,” said Dekranas Chairperson Wury Ma’ruf Amin while opening the e-Smart IKM Babel workshop in Pangkalpinang on Thursday (February 27, 2020).

One of the strategies, she explained, is to develop Bangka Belitung’s original crafts, promote them, and expand market access both online and offline.

According to her, Indonesia's craft industry exports have been increasing. By the end of 2019, the export value of Indonesian crafts reached USD 892 million (equivalent to IDR 12.48 trillion), reflecting a 2.5% increase from the USD 870 million recorded in 2018.

"This is quite encouraging, and we hope to further increase this achievement so that Indonesia can become one of the world's largest craft producers,” she said.

She further explained that crafts are a key sector within the creative industry, making a significant contribution to the national economy. The craft industry, largely driven by small and medium enterprises (IKM), continues to grow, creating substantial employment opportunities.

Source: Iphedia.com