Investment in the textile industry and textile products (TPT) sector in Cirebon Regency, West Java will experience a slowdown in 2023. Among other sectors, TPT investment in this region is the smallest. Head of the Cirebon Regency Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services (DPMPTSP) Service, Dede Sudiono, said that the investment value in the textile industry sector as of the first semester of 2023 is only IDR 670 million. "This industrial sector is the smallest compared to other sectors, it includes the smallest investment," said Dede in Cirebon Regency, Friday (15/9/2023).

The Cirebon Regency Government does not recommend expanding the textile industry in the eastern part of Cirebon Regency considering that the area has minimal raw water supplies. In fact, the textile industry uses a lot of water in its operations because it is used as a solvent for dyes and chemicals, in preparation for transferring paint and chemicals to cloth and for detergents and washing fluids. "This requires a lot of water, at the same time, raw water supplies are currently limited, forget about industry, people's needs have not been met," said Dede.

Dede said the government is still waiting for other industrial investors to consider expanding into their area. The reason is, the eastern tip of West Java is part of the Rebana Metropolitan Special Economic Zone (KEK). As an illustration, Rebana Metropolitan is a new industrial and urban area in West Java whose area is in the north/northeast of West Java Province covering seven regions, namely Sumedang Regency, Majalengka, Cirebon, Subang, Indramayu, Kuningan, and Cirebon City.

Dede said that the regional government hopes that investors will develop labor-intensive industries in Cirebon Regency. The goal is to attract more local workers. “We want an industry that is truly labor intensive. "However, this does not mean we exclude capital-intensive or technology-intensive industries," said Dede.

Dede said that currently several labor-intensive industries are starting to emerge in Cirebon Regency, especially in the eastern part, such as the food and processing industry.

According to Dede, if all investors invest in developing labor-intensive industries, economic growth will increase and the population's interest in working outside the region will decrease. “Cirebon Regency's economy needs to grow. "However, labor-intensive industries here must adapt to the social and environmental conditions of society," said Dede.