"China dominates the market with US$40 billion."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s rattan exports are expected to increase by 20 percent this year, in the light of the rising demand from overseas markets such as Germany, the United States and Japan, according to a senior official.
"The value of Indonesia`s rattan-based product exports last year stood at US$200 million and it is expected to increase by 20 percent to US$270 million this year," Director General for Agro Industry Benny Wahyudi said.
According to Benny, up to May 2012, Indonesia`s rattan exports have reached US$92 million, compared with just US$55 million during the same period last year.
He explained the government and the corporate sector needed to cooperate in order to make the country a major global supplier of rattan-based products.
Meanwhile, Rattan and Wood Furniture Business Association (AMKRI) Chairman Soenoto said the world`s rattan market had reached US$107 billion.
"China dominates the market with US$40 billion, followed by Vietnam with US$4 billion, and Indonesia with US$1.6 billion. A market share of US$1 billion can absorb 1.6 million workers," he noted.
Benny said rattan furniture and handicraft industries played an important role in the development of Indonesia`s economy.
"Rattan industry offers high added value, so the termination of raw rattan exports will increase the investment value of this industry," he added.
(Uu.A014/INE/KR-BSR/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
