Revitalizing the Batik Industry in Indonesia: A Scenario Assessment

Abstract

The batik industry is an important cultural and economic asset for Indonesia. Therefore, it is crucial to consider its needs and challenges when developing policies. The industry employs a wide range of workers, including artisans, designers, managers, and marketers, thus creating diverse job opportunities for youth. The review includes published articles on batik, government reports, and conference proceedings to examine the current performance of the batik industry. The study discovered that batik has great potential for contributing to the country’s economic growth and serves as a tool for human development. Some empirical findings have further demonstrated that batik should be preserved as one of the country’s main economic commodities for import and export activities, through the enforcement of relevant policies by authorities. Nevertheless, the sustainable development of the batik industry is still questionable, as it may negatively impact the environment, leading to an unsustainable ecosystem. The study provides some implications for policymakers and serves as a reference for future research.