Exports of non-knitted apparels and clothing accessories from Indonesia has increased marginally by 1.78 per cent in the first four months of the current year, compared to the corresponding period of last year. In April 2014, Indonesia’s exports of non-knitted apparel and accessories showed an increase of 7.07 per cent over exports made in March 2014. Non-knitted garments and apparel accessories exports accounted for a 2.82 per cent share in Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports during January to April 2014.

Indonesia’s cotton imports increased by 2.66 per cent year-on-year in January to April 2014 compared to imports made during the same period of last year. However, on a month-on-month basis, Indonesia’s cotton imports surged by 46.71 per cent in April 2014. In 2013, Indonesia’s textile and apparel exports increased by 1.76 per cent year-on-year with the US, Japan and Turkey being the main markets. Of this, garment exports accounted for 58.2 per cent.

For the current year, the Indonesian Textile Association has set textile and clothing export targets about 4.88 per cent higher than last year. The textile and clothing industry is a strategic sector that makes a significant contribution to Indonesia’s economy in the form of providing employment as well as earning foreign exchange. In recent years, the garment sector has become one of the highest foreign exchange earning sectors for the country.