Indonesian furniture, especially from Bantul, is highly favored in international markets. Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan highlighted CV Palem Craft's success in exporting home decoration products made from natural fibers to Spain. From January to June 2024, CV Palem Craft exported goods worth USD 245,000. Indonesian furniture products are in high demand in both American and European markets. "If full-year projections hold, we expect exports to reach USD 500,000, equivalent to IDR 10 billion. This is a fantastic figure for a home industry," Zulkifli stated during the export release of Palem Craft products worth USD 7,000 on Saturday, 6 July, at the CV Palem Craft showroom in Tritenggo, Bantul. He expressed confidence in the quality of Yogyakarta's (DIY) handicrafts, including various crafts, creative products, and culinary items, which have the potential to penetrate international markets. Zulkifli noted that Java's dense population has limited its capacity for agriculture and plantations. Therefore, developing export-capable SMEs is a viable solution. "The future of Indonesian agriculture lies in Papua and Kalimantan. Java will be the center of trade and industry driven by growing SMEs," he explained.
To support this growth, Zulkifli emphasized the need for broader ownership distribution rather than conglomeration, which tends to be dominated by wealthy individuals. "Ownership should start small, micro, and medium, then grow into large enterprises," he added. Cooperation is key to SME development and export enhancement. As Minister of Trade, he pledged full support for SMEs looking to expand, including collaboration with banks to facilitate financing for micro-entrepreneurs. DIY's Secretary, Beny Suharsono, mentioned partnerships to support exporting SMEs. Many SMEs have received large market demands, becoming economic drivers within communities. Quality control, product verification, and standardization training ensure high-quality, export-ready products. Owner of CV Palem Craft, Deddy Effendi, explained that his company focuses on decorations, mirrors, and lamps. They collaborate with farmers across Indonesia for raw materials and engage 1,000 craftsmen from the DIY community. Their exports reach Europe (France, Greece, Spain, Turkey) and other countries like the USA, Thailand, the Philippines, Africa, and Kenya. CV Palem Craft exemplifies the potential of Indonesian SMEs in the global market.
