Lukita put forth the request after visiting two importers in Chile, as part of his work visit to the country on May 15-18.
"The IC-CEPA will soon take effect, under which Chilean importers will be able to avail facilities and lower tariff to much as zero percent, The same also applies to Indonesian importers. Hence, this IC-CEPA should be optimally leveraged," the minister noted in a statement here on Friday.
Lukita paid a visit to a furniture importer Area Design and a seaweed processing industry Extractos Naturales Gelymar SA.
A total of 60 percent of Area Design's products were imported from Indonesia.
The company has observed that Indonesian furniture products are of high quality and flexible design to cater to the consumer demand and backed by satisfactory services by the government and business operators.
Nonetheless, the firm yet has insufficient information on Indonesian's furniture producers.
In response to the complaint, Lukita ensured that the government will examine its marketing strategy, as presently, promotion of the furniture industry was done solely through exhibitions.
"We need to adopt a more proactive approach if we are looking to tap Chile's furniture market," he added.
The minister has urged the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) to invite foreign importers to Indonesia, particularly to some furniture producing areas, including Jepara, Boyolali, Cirebon, Solo, and Sukoharjo.
On the other hand, he emphasized that Indonesian businesspersons must partake in promoting their products to nations targeted as new markets.
"Marketing is the key to success in furniture exports. The good quality of Indonesian furniture products should be backed by proactive marketing to increase their appeal and popularity in the international market," he affirmed.
Translator: Sella Panduarsa G, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
