Meeting Between Business Association and Gov’t is Key to Counter Export Challenges, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi visits the exhibition of the 2017 Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX), on Saturday (11/3), at the JI-Expo Kemayoran, Jakarta

Considering that there are still a lot of challenges and problems in boosting export industrial products of Indonesia, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo asserted that he supports the meetings between world’s business associations and the Government of Indonesia.

“The more intense the meeting become, be it between the associations and the ministers, or between the associations and me, the better we can solve the problems,”President Jokowi said in his remarks when opening the 2017 Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX) on Saturday (11/3), at Semeru Room of Trade Mart Building (Gedung Pusat Niaga), JI- Expo Kemayoran, Jakarta.

President Jokowi added that without those meetings, it will be hard to seek solutions to the challenges we face in boosting the export industrial products.

The President said it is a fact that there are still many problems and challenges that need solutions, and that the Government must give incentives to industrial sector in Indonesia.“We are now working on it. The Government has given incentives to some industries, while the rest are waiting. However, bear it in mind that the Government gives its full support to the sectors related to production, productivity, and export. That is what we continue to promote,” the President firmly said.

Needs Support from the Government

Previously, Indonesian Furniture and Craft Association (HIMKI) Chairman Soenoto in his report said that furniture products are primary needs that used by all people.

According to Soenoto, currently many furniture entrepreneurs and craftsmen, particularly those working in Bali, make furnitures out of sea waste material, which are exported and become the source of foreign exchange. Therefore, Soenoto asked the Government to give access to HIMKI to get in touch with all ministries.

“The majority members of  HIMKI are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which are considered as a strong economic sector and support to Indonesia’s economy. Therefore, HIMKI is supposed to receive full support from the Government,” Soenoto added.

Soenoto further said that HIMKI will declare the Indonesia’s furniture month in May. Thus, Soenoto called on all Government institutions to be a good example by using domestic products.

“I told the President that there is a wide range of Indonesia’s furnitures, starting from grade A to Z. The product is as good as the imported one,” Soenoto said adding that every one billion dollar transaction can support the life of 2 million Indonesians.

This 2017 IFEX is entering its fourth year. Starting on 11^th March 2017, the four-day event will end on 14^th March 2017. The exhibition will be participated by 429 participants and is projected to be attended by 6,000 buyers.

Accompanying President Jokowi in that event were Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, Head of Creative Economy Agency Triawan Munaf, and Chairman of Indonesian Furniture and Craft Association (HIMKI) Soenoto. (UN/ES)(RA/MMB/YM/Naster)