"Currently, the ministry is developing various sectors of the arts and creative economy, including fine arts and performing arts. All sub-sectors of the creative economy need a stage to showcase their products and works,” Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar said in her statement on Sunday.
“We consider IFEX to be one of the best platforms for that,” she added.
The international furniture and home decor craft exhibition takes place on March 6-9, 2025, at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo).
This exhibition aims to introduce Indonesian furniture and craft products to the global market and open up opportunities for the local creative industry to develop. This year, IFEX is targeting more than 12,000 international buyers from various countries.
"We will also continue to provide more stages, both at the national and international levels, to introduce Indonesia's creative industry to the world. This is a new growth engine that we should be proud of," Irene continued.
She further emphasized that IFEX 2025 is an opportunity for the creative industry to expand their networks, increase exposure, and penetrate the export market.
Through the exhibition, Indonesian creative products are expected to be increasingly recognized on the global stage and be able to compete in the international market, thus providing great benefits to the national economy.
"Our creativity is not only known as 'Made in Indonesia,' but also as 'Created by Indonesia.'. Indonesia is a source of inspiration, and we must be king in our own country while dominating the global market," she said.
IFEX 2025 is held in collaboration between the Indonesian Furniture and Craft Industry Association (HIMKI) and PT Dyandra Promosindo.
This year, the Ministry of Creative Economy has a booth to display the works of four creative economy actors in the home decor sector, including Abbacraft (Jakarta), Maharani (Solo), Craftote (Solo) and Manamu (Bali).
Deputy Minister Irene is optimistic about the prospects of the Indonesian furniture and craft industry after seeing firsthand the enthusiasm of international buyers at IFEX 2025, which she attended on Saturday (March 8).
"I saw the enthusiasm of international buyers at IFEX 2025. Many of them (the exhibitors) already have full orders for this year, and that is a good sign for the growth of our industry,” she said.
“The high level of domestic components in the products exhibited also shows that this industry is capable of creating extensive employment opportunities for the Indonesian people," she added.
The Ministry of Creative Economy has been participating in IFEX since last year.
In 2024, IFEX recorded transactions worth US$150,000 with buyers from various countries, including Bulgaria, Seychelles, India, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
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Translator: Sri Dewi Larasati, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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