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14    FOCUS                                                                       MAR/APR 2025 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com






         Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington  Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) will resume.   Indonesian furniture exports (HS 9401-9403) reached US$1.47
                                                             billion, an increase of 0.7 percent compared to the previous
            In 2023, the EU was Malaysia’s fourth largest trading
          partner with trade reaching RM206.79 billion.
                                                             year. However, the national furniture industry faces challenges,
            For the period of January to November last year trade
                                                             including logistical constraints due to geopolitical conditions
                                                             and environmental sustainability regulations in export destination
          with the EU grew by five percent to RM 200billion compared
                                                             countries.
          to the same period in 2023.
            As of 2023, the domestic press reports  EU investments
                                                                In addition, rising imports of metal and plastic furniture
          in Malaysia have generated over 153,000 jobs through 1,323   have become a competitor for the wooden furniture industry.
          projects valued at RM227.9 billion.                   To  face these challenges,  the Ministry  of  Industry  has
                                                             prepared five main strategies, namely: facilitating the availability
          INDONESIA                                          of raw materials, improvement of skilled human resources,
          Indonesian wood products prepared for the EUDR     market expansion and market research, increasing productivity
          The Ministry of Forestry is ensuring that exports of Indonesian   and product quality and creating a conducive business climate.

          forest products are ready to face the EUDR.           Putu emphasised that the national furniture industry must
            The Director General of Sustainable Forest Management,   continue to pay attention to the domestic market with more
          Ministry of Forestry, Dida Migfar Ridha, said "We are ready   efficient and environmentally friendly production innovations.
          for EUDR, we are ready with the timber legality verification
          system or SVLK to ensure traceability of forest products."  Broaden export markets beyond the US
            Dida mentioned that the SVLK has incorporated geographical   The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga
          locations to satisfy export requirements. However, he also   Hartarto, aims  to  maximise  Indonesia's potential  in  export

          hopes the European Union and Indonesia can collaborate   markets beyond the US.
          and agree on a common reference map.                  He stated that, given the US government policies Indonesia
                                                             must explore trade opportunities worldwide. He added “we
          Encouraging down-streaming of furniture sector     need to maximise on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership
          The  Ministry  of  Industry  continues to  implement  its forest   Agreement (CEPA) and to initiate trade cooperation with
          products down-streaming policy to add value.       countries outside the US”.
            One of the actions is through the development of an   The Minister Airlangga mentioned that drafting a legal
          innovative and  competitive furniture  industry. This aims to   framework for Indonesia's comprehensive economic cooperation
          strengthen the industrial structure, create jobs, encourage   with various other countries is already in progress.

          exports and support import substitution.              He said "we are also collaborating with the Gulf Cooperation
            The Director General of Agro Industry of the Ministry of   Council  (GCC) and are  looking  closely  at partnerships with
          Industry, Putu Juli Ardika, revealed that the furniture industry   others. The Minister said we hope that Indonesia's accession
          contributed 1.15 percent to non-oil and gas GDP in 2024.  to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-
            At a National Working Meeting of the Indonesian Furniture   Pacific  Partnership  (CPTPP)  will  open  markets  in  the  UK,
          and Craft Industry Association (HIMKI) Putu said "the furniture   Canada and Latin America.
          industry is an important part of the agro industry sector which

          recorded a growth of 2.07 percent in 2024.         Improving human resource skills in the forestry sector
            In the period of January-November 2024, the value of   The Ministry of Forestry's Human Resources Extension and
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