Jakarta – Indonesia's January and February exports of textiles and textile products grew by 3 percent year-on-year to US$2 billion, said Industry Minister Airlangga Hartanto.
"This industry could function as a social security net because it employs a large number of people; some 3 million [Indonesians] make a living from this industry," Airlangga said at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday.
The statement was originally delivered during the recent launch of the renovated textile company PT Sri Rejeki Textile's (PT Sritex) factories in Surakarta, Central Jakarta.
Total investment in the textile industry reached Rp 7.54 trillion ($567.39 million) in 2016, with total exports worth $11.87 billion. The industry employed 17.03 percent of all workers in the manufacturing industry.
"I appreciate PT Sritex for investing Rp 2.6 trillion to expand the capacity of its spinning and finishing factories, which are expected to employee 3,500 people," Airlangga added.
Meanwhile, PT Sritex president director Iwan Setiawan Lukminto said his company operates 24 spinning factories, seven weaving factories and five textile finishing factories, and 11 garment plants. "We employ some 50,000 people," he added.
In trying to improve the skills of Indonesia's human resources, the Industry Ministry signed agreements with 117 companies to cooperate with 389 vocational schools in Central Java and Yogyakarta, as part of the government's link and match program.
Previously, the signed similar agreements with 50 companies and 234 vocational schools in East Java. (bbn)