President Jokowi Opens Inacraft 2017

President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, opens the 2017 Inacraft Exhibition, at Assembly 1 Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Wednesday (26/4) morning (Photo: PR/Oji)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, opened the 2017 Inacraft Exhibition at Assemby 1 Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Wednesday (26/4) morning. The exhibition, taking place from 26 to 30 April, features a theme “Magnificence of Yogyakarta”. It featuresYogyakarta’s handicrafts and culture.

In his remarks, the President said that Indonesia’s creative industry has grown rapidly and shows a stunning as well as good development. Therefore, the President believes that Indonesia’s future lies in handicrafts and creative industries.

Handicrafts and creative industries are highly varied, for example handicrafts, film, music, and digital application.“A lot of them have very unique shapes because they are handicrafted and have a very good quality,” the President said.

However, creativity alone is not enough. The President said that, often,buyers are difficult to access those beautiful products. Even, some of them do not know that those products are made in Indonesia.

Since the President was once a handicrafter and an entrepreneur, he had an experience of joining Inacraft exhibition at early 2000.“So, I know that our challenges are promotion and marketing. Therefore, we must approach buyers. Don’t just sit and wait for them to find us,” the President said while adding that nowadays interaction with buyers is easier, thanks to the internet, so now there are e-commerce, online store, or website.

Regarding the market for handicrafts industry, the President admitted that he has asked Minister of Trade to order all Indonesian Embassies, Consulate Generals, or ITPCs abroad to continue to promote the products of handicraft and creative industries.

The President thought that Inacraft is the best place for a promotion because the sellers can directly interact with international buyers.

On that occasion, the President advised all handicrafts and creative industries’ business people to make sure that their products are on-spec, fit with the specification needed by the buyers; on-budget, the price matches with people’s purchasing power; and on-time delivery.

“If these three factors can be fulfilled, I am sure the purchase of Indonesia’s handicraft products will increase,” the President said and reminded all to also pay attention to the packaging. The design should be great and attractive.

Also attending the event were Ibu Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, and Head of Creative Economy Agency Triawan Munaf. (RAH/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)