Jakarta (ANTARA) – Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita stated that Indonesia has a strategic opportunity to become a hub for the fashion industry, particularly modest fashion, supported by strong domestic industrial ecosystems and large global market potential.In a statement released in Jakarta on Friday, the minister noted that the continued growth of the global Muslim population has significantly contributed to the expansion of the Muslim fashion market, commonly referred to as modest fashion.He added that the rapid flow of information through social media has made modest fashion trends more inclusive, with products now being worn not only by Muslims but also by a broader range of consumers.According to the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2024/2025, global Muslim fashion consumption reached $327 billion in 2023 and is projected to rise to $433 billion by 2028.“This shows that the modest fashion industry has enormous market prospects and must continue to grow, opening strategic opportunities for Indonesia to strengthen its role as both a producer and a global trend center for modest fashion,” the minister said.Indonesia’s domestic modest fashion industry has also recorded promising achievements. Exports to member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reached $990 million in 2023. “That figure represents an 83 percent increase compared with $540 million in 2022, making Indonesia the seventh-largest exporter to OIC member countries,” Kartasasmita said.However, exports to OIC countries are still dominated by China, Turkiye, and India.Meanwhile, Reni Yanita, Director General for Small, Medium and Miscellaneous Industries at the Industry Ministry, said Indonesia has enormous potential as both a market and a producer.“Indonesia has the potential to become one of the key players in the global modest fashion industry, which is also a labor-intensive sector,” she said.Data from Statistics Indonesia shows that in 2024, there were 594,000 small garment industries employing around 1.2 million workers. “Modest fashion has evolved into a global clothing trend that appeals not only to Muslim consumers but also to people across cultures and lifestyles,” Yanita said.She added that the concept continues to evolve into a more inclusive style that transcends religion, ethnicity, and individual preferences.Indonesia, she said, has strong potential to become the world’s modest fashion hub, supported by local designer creativity, rich cultural heritage, and high-quality textiles that represent the nation’s identity.