The textile industry's growth momentum has been hampered by a surge in cases of the Omicron strain of Covid-19. However, business players are optimistic that they can continue to record growth this year even though it contracted last year by 4.08 percent. Secretary General of the Indonesian Filament Fiber and Yarn Association (APSyFI) Redma Gita Wirawasta said that both the public and producers were used to the pandemic situation and restrictions. So far, retail sales have been able to be transferred to online platforms, although not completely.

"There is a lot of demand, some have gone online, so we have started to get used to it, people are used to it," said Redma Monday (7/2/2022).

Redma said this year entrepreneurs will rely on the domestic market because shipping conditions are still hampered by the scarcity of containers and high shipping costs.

He hoped that the government would take strategic measures in order to reduce the number of infections, but also not to undermine the industry's performance too much.

"I think the government can take steps for stricter health protocols, for example, 50 percent of offices can be built. Factory can't work from home," he said.

Previously, based on records from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the textile and apparel industry contracted 4.08 percent throughout 2021, although it managed to grow 5.94 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Meanwhile, manufacturing industry growth was recorded at 3.67 percent last year, higher than the 2.52 percent contraction in 2020.