Indonesia’s textile and garment exports increased 0.62 per cent in the first half of 2017. A 20.4 per cent rise in knitwear garment exports contributed significantly. However, the country noted a decline in exports to major markets such as the US, the EU and Japan by 3.6 per cent, four per cent and five per cent respectively.

The boost in exports is also said to be a result of the introduction of automated processes in textile and garment manufacturing. Automation has made the exporters even more competitive in terms of pricing and delivery, thereby boosting the country’s exports.

The country is aiming to attract foreign importers with improved economic and political stability. This could, in turn, be a deciding factor in reinforce Indonesia’s position in the textile and garment industry. The target is to increase textile exports by 1.7 per cent in 2017. Indonesia’s textile and textile product exports grew three per cent from January to February this year.

The country’s clothing and textiles go mainly to the United States, Japan, Turkey, China, and Germany. There is a high demand for Indonesian batik cloth and other traditional or cultural Indonesian fabrics. Indonesia is one of the largest textile and apparel producers in the Asean region. The industry in Indonesia employs approximately 17 per cent of the country’s workforce and contributes significantly to the country’s economy.