President Prabowo Directs R&D to Strengthen National Textile and Footwear Industries

President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia summoned several cabinet ministers and heads of institutions, including the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/8/2026). The primary agenda was to discuss research and innovation aimed at strengthening the national textile and footwear industries. Arief Satria, the head of BRIN, confirmed their invitation by the President for a meeting concerning the textile and footwear industries. He stated, "We were invited by the President today for a meeting related to the textile industry, and also the footwear industry. So, we, along with the Coordinating Minister and several other ministers, will discuss various issues." He added, "And of course, we are invited in relation to what research and innovation can support the strengthening of the textile industry." According to Satria, BRIN possesses several innovations relevant to the textile industry that will be presented to President Prabowo. One notable innovation is a machine that MSMEs can use to create organic fabrics, specifically from pineapple leaf waste. He believes these materials can be utilized for MSME development, stating, "Fabric derived from pineapple leaf waste, which can later be utilized for MSME development. And I think there are many other innovations that BRIN has." Beyond organic materials, Satria mentioned that BRIN's textile innovations also include waste treatment processes and the creation of new materials that can make clothing antibacterial and anti-UV. He assessed that these innovations could be leveraged for the development of the national textile industry. On the footwear front, Satria revealed that BRIN also has shoe innovations. He described them as affordable, comfortable, and durable shoes prepared to meet the needs of underprivileged students. "Therefore, the President strongly hopes that the needs of less fortunate students can be met with research and innovation that is truly suitable for them. So, when we conduct research, there must be value, there must be a commitment to addressing the problems faced by our less fortunate brothers and sisters, and solutions must truly be found for them," he explained. Satria further elaborated on BRIN's innovative footwear, mentioning smart insoles that can be used to monitor the rehabilitation process for stroke patients. He also claimed that these shoes could be beneficial for paratroopers. "So, this is a smart insole, and we continue to develop its research. This research is also beneficial and can be utilized by paratroopers to monitor their foot position when landing on the ground to ensure better safety," Satria concluded. Information Source: Liputan6