RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Furniture and Craft Industry Association (HIMKI) is pushing for stronger domestic market integration at Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2026, urging the government to expand the use of locally made furniture and craft products through public procurement schemes alongside export promotion.

HIMKI chairman Abdul Sobur said the association views TEI 2026, organized by the Trade Ministry, as a strategic platform to boost new orders for the national furniture and craft industry, particularly products made from natural materials that are gaining traction in global markets.

“The TEI event also opens opportunities for new orders, especially ahead of October, particularly for natural material-based products that are moving up the value chain in the global market,” Sobur said on Monday, January 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He added that the October timing of TEI is crucial to the industry and should be positioned as a continuation of the Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX), held in March.

This sequencing is expected to help maintain export demand throughout the year, especially for outdoor furniture products that typically require shipment between January and May.

Sobur said HIMKI held a strategic meeting with the Trade Ministry in Jakarta on January 21 to discuss preparations for TEI 2026. During the meeting, the association proposed several structural improvements to enhance the exhibition's effectiveness.

One key proposal was the implementation of strict product zoning, with exhibition halls clearly separated by category, including food and beverages, manufacturing, and furniture and home décor.

The approach is intended to make it easier for buyers to navigate the venue and improve the quality of business interactions during the event.

HIMKI also proposed managing two dedicated furniture halls under its direct supervision to strengthen exhibitor curation, create a more orderly exhibition ecosystem, and allow the application of special pricing or subsidy schemes for its members.

Beyond export promotion, the association is encouraging the Trade Ministry to actively involve state-owned enterprises, central government institutions, and regional administrations as potential buyers under the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) and Increased Use of Domestic Products (P3DN) programs, as well as business-to-government procurement schemes.

Sobur said this approach would allow domestically produced furniture and craft products, typically aimed at export markets, to be absorbed by government offices and public infrastructure projects, helping to build a stronger and more resilient domestic market.

He added that the initiative reflects close collaboration between industry players and the government to expand promotion efforts and enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian exports.

In 2025, Trade Minister Budi Santoso said the 40th Trade Expo Indonesia attracted 8,045 buyers from 130 countries, surpassing transaction targets. The event forms part of the government’s broader strategy to promote downstream industrial development and strengthen Indonesia’s manufacturing base.

For 2026, the Trade Ministry aims to further improve the exhibition’s impact by organizing it around three main zones: food, beverages, and agricultural products; manufactured goods; and services and heavy equipment, in a bid to enhance the global image of Indonesian products and drive export-led economic growth. ***