VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Thursday urged Indonesian furniture makers to look for foreign partners as an effort to enter into the global market.

He said that the domestic furniture industry is ranked 17th in the world, with a total revenue of only US$2.8 billion amid the world furniture market potential, which can reach US$766 billion.

"How can we be at number 17? Because we did not partner with those in other countries. We must fix this," he said during the 2023 Indonesia Furniture and Design Expo in Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday.

According to Jokowi, who was a furniture entrepreneur, Indonesian furniture products in the 1990s were always dominant at international exhibitions, such as in Italy, Germany, France, and other countries.

However, Indonesia's furniture industry still ranks below Vietnam (2nd) and Malaysia (12th), he added.

"Even though we have complete resources: raw materials, human capital, and cultural resources," he said.

Jokowi encouraged domestic furniture industry players to look for partners from other countries, such as those in Europe, the United States, and China.

"Be open and willing to partner," he emphasized.

He said that Indonesia has advantages in the furniture industry, such as raw materials, human resources, and also artistic and cultural wealth. Hence, if this potential is used effectively, the industry should be able to succeed in the global market.

Jokowi also expressed his excitement to visit the exhibition. He also intentionally stayed at the Jakarta Presidential Palace since Wednesday night rather than at the Bogor Presidential Palace to be closer to the exhibition location in Tangerang, Banten.

"It always feels like coming back home when I attend such an event," he stated. (Antaranews)