PELALAWAN - The Ministry of Industry is urging the textile industry to use local raw materials to boost its national capacity.
“Optimising the use of local raw materials is very important to drive the performance of Indonesia’s textile industry,” said Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita at the inauguration of PT Asia Pacific Rayon’s viscose rayon production facility in Pangkalan Kerinci, Pelalawan Regency, Riau on Friday (21/2).
According to Mr Kartasasmita, stronger local industrial structure from upstream to downstream will improve the competitiveness of the national textile industry, and thus the quality of textile products will improve. In addition, modernised infrastructure technology is also required.
“Thus, we will also empower the downstream sector, particularly the textile and garment industry. We will review existing regulations so that machinery in the industry can be rejuvenated more easily,” said Mr Kartasasmita.
In 2019, the textile industry recorded 15.35% growth, significantly higher than the 2018 growth of 8.73%. The industry is one of the five sectors prioritised in the Making Indonesia 4.0 roadmap. (MS)