Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on the Launching of Indonesian Furniture Industry and Handicraft Association (IFFINA) 2023, at Nusantara I, ICE BSD City Tangerang, Tangerang Regency, Banten Province, September 14, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good morning,
May peace be upon us all,
Om swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue.

Distinguished Excellencies, Ambassadors of friendly countries;

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Cabinet Onward, Minister of Trade, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, as well as Minister of Investment;

Distinguished Governor of Banten Province and Chairperson of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry;

Distinguished Chairperson of Asmindo (Indonesian Furniture and Crafts Industry Association), Mr. Dedi and all the ranks of the Asmindo Regional Commissioner.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
When I received invitation to events related to furniture, I am most enthusiastic. Normally I stay in Bogor, at the Bogor Palace, but last night I stayed at the Jakarta Palace so that I can be closer to the event here. So Mrs. Jokowi was in Bogor, I was in Jakarta, only for this event. Because it feels like I’m going back to my hometown when I go to Asmindo (Indonesian furniture association) events.

We should be grateful that Indonesia has advantages, both in terms of raw materials, in terms of human resources, and also the richness of our arts and culture. This is our main capital in the furniture industry, so I am sure that if we work on it seriously, this industry will become our flagship. General Chairperson, Mr. Dedi said that the market potential is US$766 billion, but Indonesia only reached US$2.8 billion last year, meaning it is still very small.

Indonesia is ranked 17^th below Vietnam which is ranked 2^nd, below Malaysia which is ranked 12^th, even though our resources, raw materials and human resources are actually very ready. I remember in the 90s, when we exhibited abroad, whether in Germany, Italy or France, we seemed to dominate. Now how come we can be ranked 17^th, there is something we really have to fix. In my opinion, it’s because we don’t want to partner up. I think other countries partner with each other. So what Mr. Dedi said earlier is correct, we must open to partnering with industry, furniture companies from abroad, whether from Europe, America, China, we must be open. Don’t be a single player, be open, and willing to partner.

The Government continues to encourage the domestic market and not to be dominated by imported furniture products. Because if we combine the state budget, regional budget, and SOEs spending, our spending in 2023 will reach Rp1,236 trillion, but not just in furniture. For the furniture, it was approximately US$1.1 [billion], meaning Rp17 trillion, very large, and mostly filled with imported furniture.

Therefore, immediately list all our furniture products into the e-catalog to make it easier. This means, indeed, the opportunity is from all of you. If you want to open yourself up to partnering and want to take over the domestic market 100 percent, it should be taken by Asmindo.

That concludes my remarks. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, the IFFINA Indonesia Furniture & Design Expo 2023 is officially open.

Thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(EST/MUR)