"In the blueprint, the government outlines efforts to increase batik's competitive edges at home and overseas," Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said.
She said the blueprint which was worked out by the trade ministry and other stakeholders was an effort to preserve and develop Indonesian batik as a product representing the country's national identity and pride.
"The blueprint is only the result of ministerial level discussions on economic affairs," Mari said.
But Mari promised she would later involve other ministries including the foreign affairs ministry, the more so because President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had said that batik could be used as a tool in Indonesia's diplomacy.
Market demand for batik in the 2006 - 2010 period had increased by 59 percent.
Batik exports contributed 69 million US dollars to the country's foreign exchange earnings. It was among others exported to the United States, Belgium and Japan.
About 99 percent of the country's 55,000 batik making entities are small scale businesses.
"The government hopes that by 2025 batik will not just be a type of traditional clothing in Indonesia but also a mainstay of the people's economy," the minister said.(*)
Editor : Nyoman Budhiana
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