Indonesia's furniture and craft industry, while historically robust in contributing to export value, faced challenges in 2023 with a notable decline in the export market, dropping from USD 2.5 billion in 2022 to USD 1.8 billion in the third quarter of 2023, a 28% decrease attributed to geopolitical tensions and global inflation. Despite this setback, the Indonesian Furniture and Craft Association (HIMKI) remains hopeful for industry growth, particularly through the Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX), the nation's premier furniture exhibition. Scheduled from February 29 to March 3, 2024, at JIExpo, Kemayoran, in partnership with Dyandra Promosindo, IFEX aims to empower local producers by showcasing and marketing a diverse array of furniture and craft products embodying Indonesia's unique culture. With an expanded exhibition area covering 65,000 square meters, IFEX anticipates over 500 participating companies, including those committed to sustainability, presenting more than 1,000 products crafted from materials like wood, rattan, bamboo, leather, fabrics, art, craft, and pottery.
HIMKI Chairman, Abdul Sobur, emphasized the distinct advantages of Indonesian products, including their use of local natural resources, innovative designs, and sustainable production practices. He highlighted IFEX as a platform facilitating direct connections between local producers and global buyers, now in its 9th edition. IFEX 2024 not only showcases Indonesian furniture and craft but also offers unique Indonesian hospitality experiences through events like IFEX Buyers & Exhibition Nite for networking, IFEX Seminars for education, and the Best Booth Awarding program to recognize exceptional exhibitors. Dyandra Promosindo, the event organizer, is ensuring a welcoming environment for international buyers with free shuttle services, accommodation partnerships, interpreter services, business lounges, luggage counters, medical rooms, and wheelchair services. IFEX 2024 targets both local and international buyers, with 68 countries already registered, including Indonesia, India, the United States, Australia, China, the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and others.
