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The opportunity for growth was highlighted at an online buyers, new export destinations, new exporters, transactions
forum organised by the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, and repeat orders.
attended by 112 Indonesian furniture manufacturers. HIMKI Chairman, Abdul Sobur, emphasised that Indonesia
Indonesian Ambassador, Indroyono Soesilo, emphasised already has various export-promotion tools, including business
that expanding Indonesia’s share of the US market could matching through Trade Expo Indonesia (IFEX), trade missions
significantly boost national exports, the wood-processing and overseas trade representatives, but these need to be

industry, artisans and SMEs. better integrated to convert market opportunities into actual
To capture more of the market, Indonesian manufacturers buyers and transactions.
are encouraged to target higher-value segments rather than HIMKI also argues that achieving the 2031 target requires
compete primarily on volume, focusing on distinctive designs, structural changes in the industry, including shifting from
consistent quality, legally sourced and certified wood and manufacturing toward design and innovation, moving from
stronger digital marketing. commodity-based products toward higher value-added
Rattan, bamboo, teak and woven-wood products are well goods and strengthening Indonesian brands and control over
positioned to benefit from growing US demand for natural international markets.
and sustainable furniture. In related news, the Minister of Trade, Budi Santosa, has

However, exporters must prepare for evolving trade urged Indonesia’s furniture and handicraft industries to expand
regulations, quality standards, design trends, logistics costs their global presence by taking advantage of market access
and policies such as Sections 232 and 301. opportunities, including the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI)
Strengthening SME export clusters with improved drying, scheduled for October 2026.
testing, design, order-management and export facilities will He said TEI serves as a strategic platform to connect
be crucial to achieving HIMKI’s target of US$3–4 billion in Indonesian businesses with international buyers and strengthen
furniture exports by 2030 with the US expected to remain exports, particularly amid new trade agreements such as the

a key market. Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
(EU-CEPA) and the trade agreement with the US.
Task force on Rp106 trillion in furniture exports by 2031 The government expects the event to help open new
The Ministry of Trade and the Indonesian Furniture Industry markets, boost furniture and handicraft exports and improve
and Craft Association (HIMKI) have established a joint task the international competitiveness of Indonesian furniture and
force to accelerate exports of furniture, handicrafts and home home décor products.
décor, with a target of reaching US$6 billion (approximately
Rp106.63 trillion) by 2031.
Launched on 20 August 2026, the task force will focus ©2024, Eric Petschek

on concrete export outcomes rather than serving as another
coordination forum.
Its priorities include market and buyer intelligence, transaction-
oriented business matching, export market diversification,
identifying trade barriers and maximising the networks of Trade
Attachés and Indonesian Trade Promotion Centers (ITPCs).
Progress will be measured through indicators such as new