Through INACRAFT 2016 we Improve the quality of Indonesian Handicraft towards ASEAN Economic Community
In this blessing and good opportunity, I would like to saying grace to God Almighty for his gifts and favor, the Association of Exporters and Producers of Indonesian Handicraft (ASEPHI) in cooperation with PT. Mediatama Binakreasi will organize The 18th Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair (INACRAFT 2016).
Nowadays, Indonesian handicraft products give significant contributions to growth of Indonesian economic and become one of export contributors non-oil and gas. It’s prove that handicraft products have big capacity to attract local consumer and overseas. The era of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015 brings challenge and opportunity to Indonesia Economic. With the prevailing AEC at end of 2015, ASEAN member countries will experience a free flow of goods, services, investment and educated workforce to and from each country which will greatly affect the growth and economic development of each country. To the area of free markets in South East Asia, the business world country would have to take strategic steps in order to face the competition with other ASEAN countries, not least the handicraft sectors.
The artisans, producers, craft entrepreneurs, and KUKM Indonesia expected to anticipate the AEC era in marketing handicraft products featured Indonesia by conducting some improvement in quality business, production efficiency and business management, the creation of conducive business climate, as well as increased market absorption of local products.
In order to support the strategic efforts handicraft actors in facing the ASEAN free trade era, the 18th INACRAFT carrying rich cultural heritage of West Indonesia, namely West Sumatra with theme: The Splendour of Minangkabau. Sumatera contribution to the added value of national non-oil industrial sector is relatively large, reaching 23.90 percent. It also aims to develop the handicraft industry products in order to improve the quality of Indonesian exports of handicraft products.
Finally, I would like to express the hope that a successful exhibition of INACRAFT 2016 and could achieve its goal of preserving and developing the Indonesian handicraft products so that the craft industry is growing and ultimately can improve people’s welfare, including increased craft men income.