Indonesia International Furniture Expo
The Indonesia Furniture Industry and Craft Association (HIMKI) is optimistic that next year the sales and export of Indonesian furniture and crafts products will continue to improve in both domestic and international markets. According to HIMKI Chairman, Soenoto, furniture and craft market will continue to survive amid challenging market conditions. HIMKI expect the economic condition next year would improve so it can drive the growth of Indonesian furniture and craft industry.
“Furniture manufacturers commonly offer year-end discounts during end-year or early year sales to their customers. On the other hand, many consumers are looking for new atmosphere for their offices or their residences and require new products that match their desired mood,” said Soenoto.
The end-year and early year momentum can be used to boost sales. The furniture and crafts sales centers usually give appealing offers to customers to clear their existing stock so they can add new stock to welcome the next season. As in any other industries, the furniture and crafts industry are also required to always deliver innovative and creative products with high selling value.
Indonesia with its diverse cultural affluence is expected to deliver furniture and crafts products that represent this cultural wealth. The uniqueness of Indonesia also become an important value that distinguishes Indonesian furniture and craft products compared to other countries. “In addition to encouraging local players to continue to innovate in producing quality products, we also support them to learn from other countries, especially other Asian countries that have demonstrated remarkable existence in the international market,” said Soenoto.
HIMKI realizes Indonesia is still slightly lags behind other countries in Asia, even in ASEAN. However HIMKI continues to show its optimism to increase the export value of Indonesian furniture and craft industry each and every year. Within the last years, the export value of Indonesian furniture and crafts products is around US$2 billion per year. “We are optimistic that the export value of Indonesian furniture and craft products will increase every year. We are expecting that in the next five years, the export value will increase significantly,” said Soenoto.
High Appeal
One of the mediums for introducing Indonesian high quality furniture and craft products is through the organizing of the Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX). The annual exhibition has become part of the furniture and craft show circuit in the ASEAN region and is a must-attend exhibition for global furniture and craft industry players. IFEX is the perfect venue to exhibit the progress of innovation and the excellent designs of Indonesian furniture and craft products.
Industry players’ interest to participate and enliven the exhibition is high. As of the last month of 2016, IFEX has secured more than 80 percent of the exhibition area for interest exhibitors, local and international. The committee is still inviting local and international exhibitors to secure a spot at the exhibition and experience the opportunity to showcase their products to thousands of visitors and potential buyers. In addition to exhibiting quality products, IFEX 2017 will also present a variety of supporting programs such as seminars, workshops, and awarding.
IFEX 2017 will be held on 11 to 14 March 2017 and brings together around 500 local and international exhibitors. The exhibition is again to be held in JIExpo Kemayoran and comes with the same theme, “The Essence of Infinite Innovation”. In addition to the positive support from the association and industry players, IFEX also received full support from four ministries, namely the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Occupying an area of 60 thousand square meters, IFEX 2017 will be a reference exhibition for thousands local and international buyers who are looking for quality products with innovation and unique values that is different from similar existing exhibitions. In 2016, the exhibition attracted more than 9,000 visitors and for IFEX 2017, the committee is targeting to attract around 10 thousand local and international visitors.