Semarang, 18 August 2023 – The Ministry of Trade is committed to advancing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). In the grand event that is the 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers'/AEM Meeting and Related Meetings on 17-22 August 2023 at the Padma Hotel, Semarang, Central Java, MSME products became the main souvenir for the ASEAN delegation. Indonesia prepared a variety of souvenirs from Central Java, Bali and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) for the delegations of ASEAN member countries who attended.

"Indonesia's cultural diversity will be reflected from the variety of the souvenirs. Indonesia has prepared batik from Central Java SMEs, silver crafts from Bali SMEs, and weaving from NTT SMEs. This also introduces Indonesian MSME local products," said Secretary of the Directorate General of Indonesian Trade Negotiations, Ari Satria, in Semarang, Central Java today, Friday (18/8).

Each minister, continued Ari, will receive hand-written batik cloth with Central Javanese batik motifs with different designs. In the packaging, a narrative is included so that the recipient knows the history and philosophy of this batik.

There are also pins for echelon I and ministerial level officials. This plated pin was generated from MSMEs in Bali. Ministers will use gold pins, while echelon I level officials will wear silver pins. This pin uses the design of the Indonesia ASEAN chairmanship symbol 2023.

Ari explained that all delegates will wear uniforms in the form of stamped batik shirts at the gala dinner which is scheduled to take place at Sam Poo Kong Temple the day after tomorrow, Sunday (20/8). "Batik will be worn at the banquet. The batik uniform for ministers is the blue and white batik kawung shirt, while the uniform for echelon I level officials is the brown parang batik shirt," explained Ari.

For echelon I level delegations, woven fabrics from NTT with a modern touch will be present in the form of briefcases which can also be used to store laptops. The motives are different and narration will be included so that recipients understand about empowerment of local woven fabric craftsmen in NTT.

Ari added, souvenirs were also given to the media present to cover the 55th AEM Meeting. "The gifts for the media are rather special, namely in the form of notebooks, pens, and flash drives. The notebooks use recycled materials and contain the philosophy of the brand on the first page. This design is also one of the winners of the periodic Good Design Indonesia (GDI) design competition. held by the Ministry of Commerce," Ari concluded.

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For further information please contact:
Ani Mulyati
Head of Public Relations Bureau 
Ministry of Trade
Email: pusathumas@kemendag.go.id

Ari Satria
Secretary
Directorate General of International Trade Negotiations 
Ministry of Trade 
Email: ari.satria@kemendag.go.id

Photo caption: This design is also one of the winners of the periodic Good Design Indonesia (GDI) design competition. held by the Ministry of Commerce