Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti hopes that the Indonesian Pearl Festival (IPF) 2016 will introduce Indonesias original pearls to the world.
“I hope the Indonesian South Sea Pearl (ISSP) would be introduced to pearl stakeholders and enthusiasts. The exhibition which has been held regularly would open access to the people,” the minister said when opening the IPS in Jakarta Wednesday.
The exposition displays the Indonesian sea kept pearls to the public she said.
It was the duty of everyone to introduce the Indonesian pearl to pearl stakeholders and enthusiasts, the minister said.
If the ISSP is recognized as a new commodity which has a high value, it would benefit Indonesia, as it would serve as a new source of economy to Indonesia.
The Indonesian pearl has good potential for the world market and therefore, noted designers are called on to present the latest pearl designs, she stated.
“Many people will come to know and love the pearl when they see the creative and up to date designs,” the minister added.
If the Indonesian pearl potential is cultivated properly it would boost the Indonesian economy, Minister Susi reminded earlier.
Pearls have become the target of illegal export practices, she said, and added that in 2014 the pearl exports to Hong Kong were worth US$49.8 million.
The figure is very different from the Indonesian pearl export data.
In 2015, Hong Kong imported pearls from Indonesia worth $34.2 million. But Indonesias pearl export data to Hong Kong showed that it was worth only about $1 million.