REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEMARANG -- The Indonesian Businessmen Association (Apindo) has expressed hope that the government will encourage the export of the creative industry's products amidst the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies.
"The government must seek the export market for the creative industry's products," the Chief of the Apindo chapter in Central Java, Frans Kongi, said on Saturday.
Central Java has many products of the creative industry known for being rich in models and arts. The products have attracted foreign buyers," he said.
"Many of our creative products meet foreign buyers' satisfaction and producers must benefit from it," he said.
Yet, the government must also help producers decide which is a promising market for their products, even as the global economy slows down, Kongi said.
The global economic slowdown has hit the textile and steel industries the hardest, with many destination countries reducing their demand for the commodities, he said.
"Therefore, as an entrepreneur, we hope more and more small and medium businessmen will be engaged in the creative industry. As such, our exports can be increased," he said.
Furthermore, the raw materials of the creative industry can be found in the domestic market, he said.