As of the end of February, the organizers recorded 5,665 potential buyers, including 3,131 buyers from 91 other countries. The remainder are locals.

Read also: International furniture expo kicks off, showcasing quality local products)

“The majority of the registered buyers come from the United States, China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, France, Germany and Canada,” said Soenoto, chairman of the Indonesian Furniture and Craft Association (HIMKI), as quoted by kontan.co.id.

Meanwhile, the Industry Ministry is aiming for furniture exports to be worth a total of US$2 billion this year and $5 billion in 2020. The current main export markets include the US, Japan and Western Europe.

“Furniture and crafts is a lifestyle based sector. It needs innovative designs that should be updated constantly to market taste to compete with imported products,” said Minister Airlangga Hartarto.

The Industry Ministry wants a cut in income tax (PPh) in this sector to improve the business, said Airlangga, adding that his ministry would discuss this with the Finance Ministry soon so the incentive can be applied this year.

“PPh discount would pose as an investment allowance so businesspeople can expand well and increase job fields, not dividends,” he said. (rbk/bbn)

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