The Ministry of Trade announced that Indonesian furniture products successfully recorded transactions amounting to USD 6.11 million, equivalent to IDR 99.46 billion, at the international INDEX exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Dewi Rokhayati, Director of Export Development for Manufactured Products, stated that Indonesian furniture continues to be a favorite in the Middle East and Africa. This achievement marks a 454% increase compared to the USD 1.1 million transactions at INDEX 2023. "The appeal of Indonesian furniture products remains strong. Participation in the INDEX exhibition has resulted in transactions worth USD 6.11 million or approximately IDR 99.46 billion," said Dewi in a statement from Jakarta on Tuesday. The most sought-after products include console tables, wooden and rattan chairs and stools, rattan baskets, wall decorations, outdoor wooden furniture, decorative accessories, and kitchenware. Dewi highlighted that on the first day of the exhibition, two trade agreements were signed between Indonesian Pavilion participants and UAE buyers, valued at USD 648,000 or around IDR 10.51 billion. These agreements covered products such as teak wood stools, tables, wooden and rattan outdoor furniture, and hanging lamps.
Widy Haryono, Head of the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) in Dubai, noted that there is still significant potential for increasing Indonesian furniture exports to the UAE. From January to March 2024, Indonesian furniture exports to the UAE reached USD 3.06 million. Over the past five years (2019-2023), the export trend has shown a positive growth of 15.35%. "We see Indonesia's participation in INDEX 2024 as a strategic move to leverage the Indonesia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and to use Dubai as a hub for trade in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia," Widy explained. The Indonesian Pavilion, which opened on 4 June 2024, featured sustainable, environmentally friendly products with excellent craftsmanship tailored to market preferences. The pavilion showcased top furniture and home decor products from 15 exporters. The total bilateral trade between Indonesia and the UAE from January to April 2024 was recorded at USD 1.60 billion, an increase of 9.54% compared to the same period in 2023. In 2023, total trade between Indonesia and the UAE reached USD 5 billion, with Indonesian exports to the UAE amounting to USD 2.65 billion and imports from the UAE totaling USD 2.35 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 297.40 million.
