"We expect the export value of furniture and handicraft in 2018 to reach US$2 billion, or increase compared to $1.06 billion in 2017, so that in 2019, the value could reach about $2.5 billion," the Director General of Small and Medium Industry at the Ministry of Industry, Gati Wibawaningsih, said during the opening of Solo Raya`s Furniture and Crafts Industry Cooperative (KIMKAS) here on Monday.
According to him, KIMKAS is a gateway to win global competition, in terms of promotion and productivity.
Indonesia`s furniture and handicraft products are well known in the world. However, Gati noted that it is not only the quality of the products that affects the exports value but also the promotion, which should be done via online and offline.
"We have a program called E-Smart IKM (handicraft industry and furniture), under cooperation with the Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Association (HIMKI), to hold workshops to improve productivity and promotion," he remarked.
Gati explained that offline marketing should also be done because the buyers have to see directly the products and their quality.
The Chairman of HIMKI of Surakarta, Adi Dharma Santoso, revealed that the Indonesian furniture and handicrafts have been exported to the United States for long. The association is now targeting the African and South American markets.
According to him, furniture and handicrafts exports from Solo and surrounding areas to the US are almost 50 percent of the total exports, while the rest are exported to Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Meanwhile, the export value of Central Java`s furniture and handicrafts amounts to $700 million per year.
(U.SYS/B/KR-BSR/B/H-YH)
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
