South Tangerang, June 11, 2025 — Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, emphasized that input from local and international designers, textile entrepreneurs, and journalists is essential to develop Indonesia’s fashion industry for the global market. She conveyed this during the open discussion at the Jakarta Food & Fashion Festival (JF3), held at Teras Lakon, South Tangerang, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
The Deputy Minister stated that it is vital for the Ministry to gather insights, exchange ideas, and collaborate with stakeholders in the national fashion industry. This is crucial, as the creative economy sector has the potential to drive national economic growth and create quality job opportunities.
“JF3 is one of our most outstanding partners in providing valuable input. I deeply appreciate how open the discussions are, allowing us from the government to learn a lot from industry players,” said Deputy Minister Irene.
In response to various insights shared by the audience, Deputy Minister Irene highlighted that key issues such as size standardization, raw material availability, and marketplace dynamics are central to the development of the fashion business. These inputs serve as a ‘homework’ for the Ministry of Creative Economy to ensure more structured growth in this creative economy sub-sector.
“We will soon bring together other stakeholders in the fashion industry to reach a common direction going forward. But in general, distribution and marketing are two main areas we will be focusing on,” she added.
As part of its commitment, the Ministry of Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, has launched several strategic programs, ranging from export facilitation for brands ready to go global to partnerships with shopping center owners to expand distribution points for local brands across the country.
“In addition, we are also introducing local brands to international buyers. For those still operating at the national level, the Ministry of Creative Economy has begun collaborating with mall owners and distributors to increase distribution points, so fashion entrepreneurs can more easily reach the domestic market,” Deputy Minister Irene concluded.
The Jakarta Food & Fashion Festival (JF3) is one of Indonesia’s largest and longest-running fashion festivals, having been held for over two decades. Organized by Summarecon and strategic partners, JF3 aims to empower the local fashion industry while promoting Indonesia’s cultural heritage, particularly traditional textiles, on the global stage.
For over 20 years, JF3 has played an active role in strengthening national identity through the exploration of local textiles and design, presented in formats relevant to contemporary lifestyles. In this new era, JF3 is expanding its role to engage younger generations and drive local brands toward global markets.
Thresia Mareta, Founder of LAKON Indonesia, Co-initiator of the PINTU Incubator Program, and Advisor to JF3, expressed her hope that the aspirations shared during the event would be taken into account by the Ministry of Creative Economy, in order to push the progress of Indonesia’s fashion industry. She noted that fashion players aspire for their work to gain visibility and compete on the global stage.
“We also hope for inter-ministerial connectivity, access through Indonesian embassies abroad, and concrete steps from both industry players and the government. That way, when we appear internationally, we can bring home results, not just make an appearance,” said Thresia.
During the open discussion, the Deputy Minister was accompanied by Dessy Widowati, Head of the Sub-directorate for Marketing and Commercialization of Fashion.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Communications Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
