Furniture exports have reached US$1.4 billion in the first 10 months of the year , 4.83 percent higher than the $1.33 billion earned in the same period last year, says the Industry Ministry. 

The ministry's small and medium manufacturer director general, Gati Wibawaningsih, attributed the export increase to a number of activities organized by the ministry, including training for workers, machine upgrades and promotion.

She said the ministry had helped promote events such as a furniture fair in Surakarta, Central Java, last week.

“We are committed to boosting growth and the development of the industry so that we can compete in the international market,” said Gati over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the ministry's wooden products and furniture director, Sri Yunianti ,said the government had disbursed Rp 868.1 million (US$60,810) this year to eight domestic furniture manufacturers to upgrade their machinery.

She added that the government had disbursed Rp 42.31 billion to improve the quality of products produced by 379 small and medium manufacturers between 2014 and 2017.

In 2017, the Trade Ministry also held programs to help improve the furniture sector as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and narrow the country’s trade deficit. 

Gati said the furniture sector employed 480,000 workers and had booked a trade surplus of $99.1 million  as of October. (nor/bbn)