RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) took center stage at the Home Design 2026 exhibition in Budapest, Hungary, showcasing innovative furniture and home decor that drew strong interest from European buyers. Over five days, from March 25–29, Indonesian exhibitors recorded potential transactions worth USD 743,070, or approximately IDR 12.64 billion.

The Home Design exhibition, held at Hungexpo Budapest Congress and Exhibition Center, is Hungary’s largest trade fair for furniture, household goods, and home decor. This year marked Indonesia’s third participation, facilitated by the Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) Budapest.

Head of ITPC Budapest, Suci Mahanani, said the results highlight growing demand in Central and Eastern Europe for Indonesian products. “This potential transaction demonstrates the region’s trust in Indonesian furniture and decor," Suci said, as quoted on the Indonesian Ministry of Trade official website.

"Our products combine high quality with cultural design elements, natural materials, and sustainability -- values that resonate strongly with European consumers today,” she explained.

Indonesia’s pavilion, occupying 70 square meters in Hall E, featured a distinctive design emphasizing sustainability. The participation was a collaboration between the Ministry of Trade, ITPC Budapest, and the Indonesian Embassy in Budapest.

Four Indonesian MSMEs joined the pavilion under the Ministry of Trade’s UMKM BISA Ekspor program, which encourages innovation and readiness for global markets. CV Sorajati Dharma Biru presented teakwood furniture with traditional Javanese carvings; PT Koloni Timur (East Colonial) showcased premium furniture with creative designs and high craftsmanship; PT Canela Megah Jaya offered furniture and decor using unique materials such as copper and petrified wood; and PT Costalia Finnasa Fusionel (Plantica) introduced mushroom mycelium-based furniture blended with contemporary European design.

Yosef Boyke Dharma of CV Sorajati Dharma Biru said the exhibition provided valuable insights into Eastern European design preferences. Victor Raditya of PT Koloni Timur noted successful networking with local distributors, while Maria Caecelia Nurcahaya of PT Canela Megah Jaya emphasized the importance of understanding local lifestyles to shape market strategies.

Indonesia’s Ambassador to Hungary, Penny D. Herasati, underscored that quality remains the key to winning global markets. “We hope this exhibition serves as a bridge to introduce Indonesia’s best products that meet Europe’s strict standards,” she said.

Trade relations between Indonesia and Hungary continue to grow. Eurostat data from 2021–2025 shows Hungary’s imports from Indonesia rising by an average of 9.47 percent annually. According to Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency, bilateral trade reached USD 303.7 million in 2025, with non-oil and gas exports climbing to USD 113.8 million -- up 10.65 percent from the previous year.

This upward trend signals strong opportunities for Indonesian lifestyle products to expand further into Central and Eastern Europe. ***