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Opportunity to increase exports to the US of Trade is working to enhance market access for Indonesian
Some wood product manufacturers are of the opinion that products in the global market. This effort includes several
with the change of government in the US wood product actions, such as facilitating business participation in international
imports from China may decline presenting an opportunity product exhibitions, engaging in trade missions, and leveraging

for Indonesia to boost its exports. Indonesia's trade agreements with partner countries," said
Abdul Sobur, the General Chairperson of the Indonesian the Minister.
Furniture and Crafts Association (Himki), stated that Indonesia The Minister stated, "business representatives can take
has the opportunity to boost its exports to the US under this advantage of over 40 trade representatives from the Ministry
condition. However, increasing Indonesian furniture and craft of Trade stationed overseas who are responsible for promoting
exports to the US presents challenges. domestic products."
Indonesia faces competition from countries like Vietnam, Specifically for rattan furniture the Ministry of Trade will
Malaysia, Canada and Mexico, all of which have also recognised assist rattan furniture SMEs to increase exports.
this market opportunity. "Our support will include the creation of unique rattan

Notably, Vietnam stands out as a significant competitor designs and prototypes to enhance their acceptance in the
due to its well-developed infrastructure and proactive export global market as well as opportunities for exhibitions overseas,"
policies. said Minister Budi.
Another challenge has emerged is the ‘America First’
initiative which emphasises domestic products which, said Social Forestry—calls for multi-stakeholder collaboration
Sobur, may hinder export opportunities particularly if the US A recent forum urged a better multi-stakeholder collaboration
enforces stricter import regulations. to engage communities in managing local forests aligned

For this reason, Sobur suggested that Indonesia must with Indonesia's climate goals. According to the Director of
take full advantage of export cooperation agreements such as the Regional Community Forestry Training Centre for Asia
the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Pacific (RECOFTC) Indonesia, Gamma Galudra,
Agreement (IA-CEPA). communities can still make more use of forest resources to
improve their welfare.
Encouraging access to the UKM BISA export He then called for collaboration between social forestry groups
programme and other stakeholders such as companies, non-governmental
The Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso, stated that the Ministry organisations and academia as this can help pave the way for
is working to boost furniture exports and expand into the

global market and this is crucial because furniture is a key
export product of Indonesia.
Consequently, the Ministry of Trade continually supports © 2018 Børth Aadne Sætrenes
the SMEs’ Dare to Innovate, Ready to Adapt to Exports’
(UMKM BISA Export) programme.
The UKM BISA Export programme aims to enhance
competitiveness, innovation and adaptability to global market

demands.
“To support the UKM BISA Export initiative, the Ministry