Indonesian Trade Minister Refutes Claim Of Continuing Slump

The Indonesian Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang stated that the textile industry in Indonesia is not experiencing a decline as previously reported.

“Even though there are reports of plans of massive layoffs, the textile industry and related sectors are currently experiencing increased activity,” he said while addressing reporters.

“I am in receipt of a report from the Indonesian Textile Association (API) that states that the textile and related sectors are actually growing and there are lots of orders,” Gumiwang added.

The Minister stated that the information he received showed that the apparel industry was also recovering from the impact of the pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine war which had led to the slump in sales.

“The API Chairman also gave me a report that the textile and garment sector are doing well now. So now the industry is actually growing,” he informed.

The Minister’s statement follows a statement from the Chairman of the Indonesian Fiber and Filament Yarn Producers Association (APSyFI) that layoffs in the textile and clothing sector has reached around one million.

“Since the fourth quarter of 2019, layoffs in the textile industry have actually reached one million,” APSyFI Chairman had said.