Indonesia is encouraging its textile industry to be environment-friendly, since it’s necessary for business sustainability. The United States and Europe have strict standards and products containing hazardous chemicals are rejected.

Environment-friendly industries fall into several categories. First the industry does not pollute the environment of water, air, and soil. Second, the raw material can be recycled, re-used and is re-degradable. Third, the products used in production of finished products must be environmentally friendly. In addition, efficiency and effectiveness factor in energy use are also important factors.

The textile sector in Indonesia is expected to grow seven per cent this year. The country is looking to a relaxation of import duties in the US for goods exported from Indonesia.

In addition, rules for imports of textile and textile products have been tightened. And results are visible. Import of fabrics as a raw material for garments fell by 33 per cent in the first quarter of 2017. The aim is to discourage fabric imports to push up domestic fabric production. The textile and garment industry is one of Indonesia’s oldest industries and the country makes up about two per cent of the global textile market. Although Indonesia produces cotton, textile manufacturers prefer to import cotton because the quality of foreign cotton is much higher.