President Jokowi Visits Taiwanese Factory, Announces Export of 16,000 Pairs of Shoes to the United States

Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited the Matang Industrial Zone in Central Java on the 27th, where he announced that 16,000 pairs of shoes produced by the Indonesian Ecco Group’s billion springs factory in Taiwan will be exported to the United States. This marks the first time the Ecco Group has established a factory in Indonesia, with an investment of 1.7 trillion Indonesian rupiahs (approximately $1.11 billion) and providing employment for 13,000 workers.

This move was announced by Widodo on social media on the 26th, revealing that Indonesia will export 16,000 pairs of HOKA brand shoes to the United States, emphasizing that these shoes are manufactured by Taiwan’s billion springs factory, marking the company’s initial investment in Indonesia.

According to Widodo, the billion springs factory in the Batang Comprehensive Industrial Zone in Central Java Province is a significant step taken by Taiwan’s Ecco Group after 20 years of investment in Vietnam. The group’s current investment in the Batang Industrial Zone amounts to 1.7 trillion Indonesian rupiahs, representing the first labor-intensive industry investment in the zone, with a workforce of 13,000, including construction workers.

Widodo stated, “The government is committed to increasing domestic production and exports, as well as expanding employment opportunities, with the footwear sector being one of the focal points to position Indonesia as a key player in the global market.”

In May, the Ecco Group from Taiwan indicated its plans to expand with two new production lines in Indonesia in addition to its main manufacturing base in Vietnam. The capital expenditure for this expansion ranges from NT$5 billion (approximately $162 million) to NT$10 billion (approximately $324 million). The first new production line commenced operations in May, adding approximately 5 million pairs of shoes to its output this year, with a projected annual production of 20 million pairs in three years. The second new production line is expected to achieve an annual production of 20 million pairs in five years, bringing the total annual output of both new lines to around 40 million pairs.

(Source: Central News Agency)