Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world. In total, more than 207 million people in Indonesia adhere to Islam. With this figure, the demand for halal products will be even greater.
One of the Muslim products that have a high consumption rate is fashion products. The national Muslim fashion consumption as of May 2020 is at 21 billion United States (US) dollars or equivalent to Rp 299,250 trillion with an average exchange rate of Rp 14,250.
Meanwhile, based on data from The State of Global Islamic Economic Report 2020/2021, the world's Muslim fashion consumption in 2019 reached 277 billion US dollars. This figure is projected to increase in 2024 to US $ 311 billion.
With this data, Indonesia's opportunity to contribute or fill the domestic and global markets is wide open.
In addition, Muslim fashion has also succeeded in contributing to Indonesia's economic growth. The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) noted that the export performance of the apparel industry throughout 2020 reached 7.04 billion US dollars or equivalent to Rp. 100.320 trillion.
Not only that, the fashion industry has a close relationship with the textile industry sector. With this figure, the textile industry also contributes 6.76 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the non-oil and gas processing industry in 2020.
This achievement is inseparable from the role of small and medium industry players (IKM) in the national Muslim fashion sector. The creativity and innovation carried out by the IKM players prove that domestic products are ready to compete globally.
“Small and medium industries, especially in the fashion sector, have proven to have tenacity and resilience despite the weakening economy. The government encourages this industry to become a driving force for exports so as to encourage national economic recovery, "said Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in Indonesia, SMEs have had a significant impact. Not a few IKM players were forced to go out of business due to losses.
However, the number of IKMs that survived through various methods was also counted. One of the ways they survive is by marketing their products through social media.
Social media is a medium that is considered safe for buying and selling transactions. This is because online marketing and sales do not require face-to-face interaction. That way, there is no possibility of transmission of the corona virus.
In addition to marketing products through social media, the stretching of the fashion and halal industry can also be encouraged by providing opportunities for IKM players to meet new customers. For this reason, the government, in this case the Ministry of Industry, is holding a virtual exhibition of the Indonesia Industrial Moslem Exhibition (ii-Motion).
The virtual exhibition will be held on 3-5 June 2021. This event was held with the vision of building an ecosystem and halal industry in Indonesia, as well as making Indonesia a world reference in developing the halal economy and industry.
Director General of Small, Medium and Multifarious Industries Gati Wibawaningsih said, Indonesia has the potential to become a leader in producing halal products whose goods are used in many countries.
“Indonesia should not only be a consumer of halal products, but also be able to compete as a producer of halal commodities that dominate the world market. One of them is through the development of Muslim textile and fashion products, which are Indonesia's leading export commodities," said Gati.
In addition to showcasing quality halal lifestyle products, Gati added, ii-Motion can be used as an arena for halal industry players to connect directly with potential customers and potential customers, both locally and internationally.
The event can also be a digitally connected halal industry ecosystem, from the food, beverage, cosmetics, household appliances to Muslim fashion sectors.
"The items we have curated have very good value and really support the current Muslim fashion trend," said designer and curator of ii-Motion 2021 Itang Yunasz.
At ii-Motion 2021, not only Muslim fashion is displayed. The Ministry of Industry also cooperates with other halal industry SMEs, such as bags, shoes, cosmetics, jewelry, kitchenware and tableware, as well as food and beverage products.
The first winner of Indonesia Food Innovation 2020, Ayu Linggih, is one of them. The founder of the original Indonesian cheese artisan, Rosalie Cheese, said that food SMEs like herself must continue to develop product quality, quality, and marketing strategies.
"One of the effective ways is through extensive networks and international class exhibitions such as ii-Motion," said Ayu.
SMI actors who attended ii-Motion were given a place and opportunity to consult to develop their business in the facilitation corner through the 1 On 1 Consultation booth.
The Ministry of Industry will also provide an Intellectual Property Rights Clinic, Packaging and Brand Design Clinic, Santripreneur Clinic, as well as a service corner from the Directorate General of Small, Medium and Miscellaneous Industries to accommodate the needs of the halal industry players.
At the booth, IKM players could gain new knowledge, such as how to brand products by creating attractive logos and registering their products as intellectual property that must be protected.
The ii-Motion event also presents various other events, such as fashion shows, cooking demos, barista demos, and hijab demos. In addition, participants and visitors can gain new knowledge by joining webinars. There will be a webinar with the topic of the Halal Industry and Its Development in Indonesia, Access to Sharia Financing, as well as a talk show on Business Fashion Trends and Local Food Leading Potential.
