Jakarta, Sept. 17 -- Indonesia's Trade Ministry on Wednesday announced the first export shipment of 9,000 eco-friendly natural fiber crafts from Kebumen, Central Java, to the United States, valued at USD57,200 (Rp937 million).

The shipment, consisting of handwoven baskets made from banana stems and water hyacinth, was produced by a local micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME), said Fajarini Puntodewi, the ministry's Director General of National Export Development.

"This shows Indonesian MSMEs can deliver high-quality, sustainable, and globally competitive products," Puntodewi said in a statement.

"These crafts combine durability with aesthetic appeal and are gaining traction in international markets," she added.

The deal followed ...