President Jokowi Urges Citizens to Use Domestic Products
President Jokowi reviews PT Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk factory in Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java Province, Friday (21/4). (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo continued his working visit today, Friday (21/4), by visiting PT Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk in Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java Province. During his visit, President Jokowi invited the Indonesian people to be proud of using the original products of Indonesia. According to the President, the quality of products made in Indonesia is actually not inferior to those made overseas. “I know many Indonesians want to buy foreign products. If they see here made in Indonesia, they immediately cancel the purchase. They prefer to buy imported goods. This is what should be stopped. We must love the products manufactured domestically,” the President asserted.
In fact, many companies in Indonesia are able to produce goods with international quality. One of them is PT Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk, better known as Sritex. The President even mentioned the company engaged in the textile industry as an Indonesian brand that is able to compete in the international market. “Sritex constitutes proof that Indonesian brand can dominate the world market. Starting from military uniforms, work clothes, fashion clothes, and children’s clothing are products of Sritex. Sixty percent of its products are for export,” the President said.
Therefore, on this occasion, President Jokowi appreciates Sritex’s efforts to further increase competition with the international world. One of them is to expand the factory so that the production capacity can be improved. “I asked whether we lost with Vietnamese textiles? Because I heard our textiles were lost by Vietnam. President Director of Sritex, Iwan, answered that we do not lose. We can compete with them,” he added.
In efforts to support Indonesian companies to compete in the global market, the Government continues to strive to provide ease of doing business. Among them is the simplification of licensing that needs to be recognized as a scourge for most entrepreneurs. “Once our competitiveness decreases, our products will be replaced by foreign products. Therefore, the Government now cuts out matters related to licensing. I gave an example of a power plant, there were 259 permits. Now, we cut into 56. But for me is still too much,” the President said.
In addition, the Government is also focusing on improving and developing a number of infrastructures in the country to encourage Indonesian products to enter the export market. The President believes that infrastructure development is what Indonesia needs most to compete with other countries. “We made an all-out effort when it comes to infrastructure for the competitiveness, so that we do not lose in the competition. We will go into the processing industry on the second stage, the service industry on the third stage. That is our development strategy because all countries are now improving themselves,” the President said.
At the end of his speech, the President left a message to Sritex as well as to other textile companies and textile products (TPT) to always maintain the quality of their products. In addition, innovation and mastery of technology are of particular importance. “To Sritex and all TPT manufacturers in Indonesia, I ask you to keep the quality and on time delivery. Keep innovating, do not lag behind in technology. We must prove that Indonesian products are of high quality and we should be proud of them,” the President concluded.
Accompanying the President at the event were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo. (BPMISetpres/EN) (MUR/YM/Naster).
