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Perum Jamkrindo provided an opportunity for two of its fostered partners to showcase their products at the Kriyanusa Exhibition organized by the National Craft Council (Dekranas) 2017, held at JCC Senayan, Jakarta, from September 27 to October 1, 2017. The two fostered partners who received this rare opportunity were the Bayat Sido Mulyo Handwritten Batik Group (a partner fostered by the Semarang Branch Office) and Asia Songket (a partner fostered by the Palembang Branch Office).
As the name suggests, the Sido Mulyo Batik Group specializes in batik products, while Asia Songket displayed various songket products at the exhibition. Both showcased their flagship products at the Perum Jamkrindo booth, located in Hall A of JCC. The booth, dominated by blue colors and prominently displaying the Perum Jamkrindo logo, was consistently crowded with visitors.
"Fostered partners not only receive financial assistance from Perum Jamkrindo but also receive mentoring to help develop their businesses," said Lila, Head of the PKBL Division at Perum Jamkrindo.
She added that involving fostered partners in exhibitions is part of Perum Jamkrindo's efforts to help them market their products and increase public awareness. With a broader market, it is hoped that fostered partners can continue to grow, become independent, and maintain good liquidity.
The Kriyanusa Exhibition was organized by the National Craft Council (Dekranas). Dekranas is a non-profit organization that brings together art enthusiasts to support and develop craft products and businesses, aiming to improve the livelihoods of business actors, many of whom are small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Kriyanusa is an iconic craft exhibition featuring participants from Dekranasda, craftsmen fostered by state-owned enterprises (BUMN), independent participants, and representatives of craftsmen from friendly countries who are members of the World Craft Council.
President Joko Widodo officially opened the Kriyanusa Exhibition of the National Craft Council 2017. President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, along with Mrs. Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, arrived at the exhibition around 10:00 AM. The event, themed "Enhancing the Creativity of Young Craft Entrepreneurs in Indonesia," was also attended by several Cabinet Ministers, including Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, and Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu. Former First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, wife of the sixth President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), was also present.
Erni Cahyo Kumolo, the Daily Chair of Dekranas Pusat, stated that the event was attended by Dekranas representatives from across Indonesia. According to Erni, Dekranas organizations are guided by the wives of regional leaders.
"All wives of regional leaders are the heads of Dekranasda in their respective regions. So, there are representatives from provinces, regencies, and cities, even down to the grassroots level," she explained during a press conference for the National Working Meeting and Exhibition commemorating the 37th Anniversary of Dekranas at the Ministry of Defense Building, Jakarta (26/9/2017).
Meanwhile, Peggy Enggartiasto Lukita, Head of the Exhibition and KSLN Division of Dekranas Pusat, explained that the theme of the 2017 Kriyanusa Exhibition aimed to enhance the creativity of young entrepreneurs in Indonesian crafts.
"Why are we focusing on young entrepreneurs? Although some crafts are produced by older artisans, we hope that young people will participate and innovate without abandoning existing cultural traditions. We want their creations to be appreciated by younger generations as well," she said.
Triana Rudiantara, Deputy Daily Chair of Dekranas Pusat, added that Indonesian craft products have long been highly valued and recognized for hundreds of years. "This is evidenced by our translation of Jasper's book, which dates back about 120 years," she said.
According to Triana, who also heads the Promotion, Public Relations, and Publication Division, Jasper was a Dutchman who once served as governor in Central Java. He collected various Indonesian creations, such as natural dyeing techniques, the use of natural raw materials, and diverse motifs.
Therefore, Triana hopes that Indonesian crafts will be preserved by future generations. "We fear that if there are no successors, these crafts will become extinct, especially since collectors abroad have already been gathering Indonesian artifacts. So, who else will preserve them if not us?" she emphasized. (Various sources/kominfo.go.id)