The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) noted that clothing exports jumped 36% in January 2022, compared to last year. "Our apparel exports increased quite sharply for January-February based on BPS data, a 36% increase in January 2022 when compared to the same period last year," said Director General of National Export Development Budi Sumedi at the 'Road to Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week' event, Wednesday (6/4). According to Budi, the Ministry of Trade in recent years has focused on exports of manufactured products, especially apparel, aka fast fashion. Many exports are sent to countries such as the United States (US), Japan, Korea and other Asian countries.
He said that although there was still geopolitical pressure arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, demand in the clothing sector seemed to be increasing rapidly, especially in Muslim and modest fashion. "There is an opportunity for us to export apparel, especially if we want to take our niche market, modest fashion. The Ministry of Trade is currently focusing on non-commodity and service exports, focusing on the development of halal products including Muslim fashion," said Budi. Along with this, Budi reported that the value of Indonesia's exports would reach a record high in 2021, amounting to USD 231.5 billion or equivalent to IDR 3,326 trillion (assuming an exchange rate of IDR 14,367). This figure surpassed the last achievement in 2011 with USD 203.5 billion. "Last year we penetrated exports with a value of USD 231.5 billion and this resulted in a surplus for non-oil and gas of USD 48 billion, but in total we had a surplus of USD 35 billion due to a deficit in the oil and gas balance," he said.
