RI SEES BETTER PROSPECT FOR FURNITURE EXPORTS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 17 (Antara) - Indonesia's furniture exports have been declining since the 2008 economic crisis but this year the world economy is getting improvement that will support Indonesia's furniture exports to destination countries.          Indonesia with its big tropical timber potential was able to export US$2.2 billion worth of furniture before the 2008 economic crisis, but now its total furniture exports account for only about US$1.6 billion.          In line with the improvement of the market overseas, Indonesia now hopes it would regain its past furniture export glory, setting a furniture export target at US$2 billion this year.          Indonesia expects to see furniture exports surge by up to 10 percent to US$2.15 billion this year, mainly on the back of stable demand in key markets, continuing the recovery already seen in the past year, the Trade Ministry's director general for national export development, Gusmardi Bustami was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying.