The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that the GDP growth for the textile and textile product or TPT industry throughout 2022 reached 9.34 percent. On the other hand, throughout the remainder of the second half of last year, many business actors conducted layoffs. The wave of layoffs (PHK) for the textile industry began in the third quarter of 2022. Business actors admit that the export market is weakening plus it is difficult to absorb the domestic market due to the flood of imports. General Chairperson of the Indonesian Fiber and Filament Yarn Producers Association (APSYFI) Redma Gita Wirawasta said this growth was helped by performance in the first quarter and second quarter of 2022 which were still thriving.

"In the first quarter and second quarter of 2022, the growth is 12 percent and 13 percent. However, in the third and fourth quarters, the Q to Q [quarter to quarter] growth indicator has slowed down," said Redma on Wednesday (8/2/2023).

Moreover, according to him, in the previous year the textile industry was still in a negative trend, because the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 was still high. As a result, yesterday's 2022 growth could reap quite high figures on a year on year (yoy) basis.

Redma revealed that last year, the export market had indeed weakened since the beginning of the period due to rising shipping costs and a shortage of containers, but the domestic market could still be held. The problem is, along with the easing of mobility, imported products will enter the flood.

"In the second semester, when export demand [also] weakened and on the other hand the domestic market was flooded with imported goods, which impacted employee housing and the closure of several factories," said Redma.

According to Redma, this is what has made him continue to urge the government to secure the domestic market for domestic products, especially for illegal products.

"In 2023 we still ask for the government's efforts to secure the domestic market, especially from illegal imported goods so that industry performance is maintained," Redma concluded.