TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Garment exports from Surakarta are on the rise. The opening of new markets aside from European traditional markets has triggered this growth. This new market includes Bangladesh and China.

Deputy head of the Association of Indonesian Textiles in Central Java, Joko Santoso, says the export of garments to Bangladesh and China has occurred because businesses in these two nations import rather than produce more products.

"Work safety during production was a serious issue in Bangladesh, especially considering the accident that occurred some time ago," Joko told reporters yesterday. Therefore, to reduce the risk of accidents related to work, garment businesses in Bangladesh opt to import goods from other areas, such as Surakarta.

Meanwhile, the high wages for workers in China has seen garment businesses in the nation opt to import instead of produce.

Data from the Surakarta Trade and Industry Department shows that textile exports and textile products dropped from US$2.548 million in May 2013 to 1.189 million in June.

The department’s international trade chief, Endang Kurnia Maharani, said that not only textile exports and products has dropped in value, but the export value of other top commodities has also decreased, such as batik and furniture.

The total export value in June reached Rp2.528 million, a far cry from last May’s export value of $4.642 million and April’s $2.620 million. Meanwhile, the export value in January was US$ 4.685 million, US$ 3.444 million in February, and $2.717 million in March.

"We aren’t sure why the export value dropped in Solo. Maybe because the main target region’s economy, which is Europe, has not improved yet, thus effecting Solo’s export value," said Endang.

UKKY PRIMARTANTYO