Jakarta (ANTARA) – Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said the national textile and textile product (TPT) industry still has significant room for growth despite various challenges facing the sector.Kartasasmita said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday that the textile and garment industry plays a very strategic role, employing over 3.8 million workers.“Although some companies are facing pressure, there are also new investments and business expansions. This shows that the TPT sector still has substantial room for growth,” he said.He added that the ministry would continue to strengthen synergy with industry players, associations, local governments, and relevant ministries and agencies to maximize the growth of the national TPT industry.”The government supports textile and textile product industry players in enhancing their competitiveness and succeeding in the global market,” Kartasasmita said.”We aim to realize an Indonesian TPT industry that is resilient in the face of change and grows to become more productive, innovative, and sustainable,” he added.In line with the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence, the TPT industry continues to demonstrate its role in supporting economic development.The sector recorded an export value of US$4.85 billion in the first semester of 2026.According to Kartasasmita, this achievement highlights the role of the textile and garment sector as a key contributor to the national economy.This optimism is further supported by the Industrial Confidence Index (IKI) reading for July 2026, which remained in the expansion zone at a level of 53.10.The Minister noted that improving the textile industry's performance must go hand-in-hand with the transformation of production processes.Therefore, to maximize the sector's growth, the ministry continues to implement various policies, ranging from investment incentives and restructuring programs to labor-intensive industry credit (KIPK) and export financing provided by the Indonesian Export Financing Agency (LPEI).Another policy is the strengthening of trade safeguard policies, the acceleration of the “Making Indonesia 4.0” implementation, and the adoption of Green Industry Standards.“Today, the world is not only buying products, but also looks at how they are made. Therefore, it is important to remember that sustainability is no longer a burden, but rather a competitive advantage in the global market,” he stated.