Indonesia is encouraging the development of local alternatives for thrift traders following a ban on imported secondhand clothing. President Prabowo Subianto has tasked the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with creating substitute products to support thrift businesses while safeguarding domestic producers. MSME Minister Maman Abdurrahman highlighted the competitiveness of local goods, particularly from creative centers like Bandung, in terms of quality, design, and price. The government aims to balance sustaining local textile production with enabling thrift vendors to continue their trade. Abdurrahman noted that secondhand clothing isn’t always cheaper due to unregulated pricing. The initiative aligns with Prabowo’s broader goals of economic sovereignty and empowering MSMEs, promoting a shift towards sustainable, locally-driven fashion markets.
Is Indonesia promoting local products for thrift traders amidst the import ban?
