Jakarta, ThedailyID — President Prabowo Subianto held a limited meeting with several ministers at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 22.
The meeting focused on Indonesia’s textile and footwear industries. BRIN chief Arif Satria confirmed that the agency had received an invitation to discuss the sectors.
“We received an invitation from the President this afternoon for a meeting on the textile industry and also the footwear industry,” Arif said, as reported on Tuesday, September 22.
Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto also attended the meeting. Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani, BUMN Agency chief Dony Oskaria, and Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto also joined.
Arif said the meeting would cover several issues affecting the industries. BRIN would also present research and innovations that could support their development.
One of the innovations involves fabric made from pineapple leaf waste. BRIN plans to develop the material further so that it can benefit micro, small, and medium enterprises.
BRIN is also developing affordable footwear for students from low-income families. Arif said the research includes a smart insole that can help monitor stroke rehabilitation.
The smart insole uses sensors inside shoes to track movement during rehabilitation. BRIN is also exploring other potential applications for the technology.
Another textile innovation uses palm oil waste to produce batik wax, known as malam. Arif said the material could make batik production more environmentally friendly by using waste as a raw material.
BRIN wants to move these innovations beyond research facilities. The agency is seeking ways to introduce its technologies to industry and support wider production.
Arif previously said BRIN had developed an affordable rubber-based shoe. The basic version was estimated at around Rp75,000 per pair, although some models could cost more than Rp100,000.
The agency has also targeted the commercialization of several research products later in 2026. Arif said some products could enter commercialization around the December Innovation Summit.
The meeting comes as Indonesia’s textile and footwear sectors face pressure from global competition, technology changes, and production challenges. Recent government discussions have also focused on improving worker skills and strengthening the industries’ competitiveness.
