WNAM REPORT: The Indonesian Ministry of Trade is targeting higher fashion exports to Saudi Arabia, which currently stand at just US$17.55 million, representing a market share of about 0.84 percent.
In a written statement issued in Jakarta on Friday, Indonesian Trade Attaché in Riyadh Zulvri Yenni said the figure highlights significant untapped opportunities for Indonesian fashion businesses to expand their market presence in Saudi Arabia.
According to Zulvri, Indonesia is seeking to capitalize on this potential through its debut participation in the Saudi Fashion & Tex Expo 2026, held from September 24 to 27 at the Jeddah Center for Exhibition & Events in Jeddah.
“Buyer interest in the Indonesian Pavilion is quite high. However, prospective buyers still need time to understand the design character and materials of Indonesian fashion products,” she said.
She noted that the expo not only opens up market opportunities in Saudi Arabia but also serves as a gateway for Indonesian products to reach markets across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Africa, and Europe.
From August 2025 to August 2026, Saudi Arabia imported approximately US$2.09 billion worth of fashion products from around the world.
In the textile sector, Saudi Arabia imported approximately US$598.55 million worth of products during the same period. Indonesia’s textile exports to Saudi Arabia reached around US$12.79 million, representing a market share of 2.14 percent.
Zulvri underscored that Indonesian businesses must ensure their pricing, material quality, and designs remain competitive with those of key suppliers to Saudi Arabia, including China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Türkiye, Japan, and South Korea.
For textile products, she added, exporters also need to develop new motifs at more competitive prices than products from China.
At the expo, 10 Indonesian fashion and textile companies are featured at the Indonesian Pavilion, which is the result of collaboration among the Ministry of Trade, the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, and the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah.
From January to July 2026, total non-oil and gas trade between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia reached US$1.95 billion. Indonesian non-oil and gas exports to Saudi Arabia totaled US$1.20 billion, while imports from Saudi Arabia stood at US$754.6 million.
Indonesia’s main export commodities to Saudi Arabia include vehicles and automotive parts, animal or vegetable fats and oils, ships and vessels, processed food products, and wood products.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s main imports from Saudi Arabia consist of salt, sulfur, and stone; plastics and plastic products; organic chemicals; miscellaneous chemical products; and fruits.
