The Annual Fashion Show held an event with the theme of elevating Riau Batik to the global arena. The event will feature 75 models by 15 local designers. The event, which took place from 27 September to 2 October at the Main Atrium of Living World Pekanbaru, was enlivened by various arts, dances, dances and Riau batik fashion shows. Batik is a combination of art and technology of the ancestors of the Indonesian nation. This local Batik product already exists in the world. The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inaugurated the National Batik Day from 2009.

The large number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) producing batik is the reason Indonesia's economy is relatively more resilient than other countries. Because during the monetary crisis, 90% of the workforce was in MSMEs.

This was conveyed by representatives of Bank Indonesia Riau Province.

“From an economic point of view, these MSMEs are the backbone of the international economy. If the monetary crisis was in the past, why was Indonesia's economy relatively more resilient than neighboring countries? This is because MSMEs are tips, so 90% of the workforce is in MSMEs," Tias explained, Saturday (1/10).

Tias also said he hoped that Indonesia would progress economically and culturally. So the existence of batik must be maintained and preserved.

In addition, representatives of the Indonesian textile association (API) said that the Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) of Indonesian textiles had decreased. APR has contributed to reducing textile imports by 40%.

"Indonesia has been able to reduce textile imports from the list we received, reduced by approximately 60%. This APR has contributed nationally to reduce the import of 40% of textiles that will enter Indonesia," said Nining.

APR itself is the first integrated viscose rayon producer in Asia from plantations to viscose fibre. As one of the companies managed by RGE, which was founded by Sukanto Tanoto in 1973, APR produces natural biodegradable viscose rayon which is used in textile products.

The existence of Batik is very meaningful for Indonesia. The hope of a batik maker for Indonesian young people, especially in Riau, is to get involved in making batik. Combining the characteristics of young people with typical batik motifs in Riau.