Vice President Calls For Increasing Batik's Economic Value

Pekalongan, C Java, Oct 8 (Antara) - Vice President Boediono has called on all Batik producers and designers to increase the economic value of Batik in a bid to improve the welfare of all those involved in its production and trading. "It is good that Batik has artistic and cultural values. But, it should also have an economic value by adjusting to the public`s taste," the vice president stated while inaugurating the Nusantara Batik Week 2014 here on Wednesday. Batik, as a high-value artistic product, has gained international recognition, including from the UNESCO, which has recognized it as Indonesia`s cultural heritage. "There is still space to combine art and economic value. Every stakeholder, particularly the central and local administrations, must be able to help combine the two values," he emphasized. Increasingly more number of people, including the high class and the younger generation, have become fond of Batik, and Batik designers and producers should be able to understand their fashion tastes, he pointed out. Boediono also called for improving the quality of Batik, so that their colors, for instance, could last longer. He also encouraged small- and medium-scale Batik industries to continue their production. Boediono lauded Indonesian Batik designers who have successfully combined the designs of batik from Solo, Yogyakarta, China, and Arab. Creativity in Batik design is crucial to satisfy Batik lovers, he added.