Rattan Exports Could Reach 275 Million U.S. Dollars

Government, especially the Ministry of Commerce, will seek to increase the added value of rattan products in a number of ways. With the increase in the value-added export value of rattan products also can be even greater. "The government continues to pursue the process of improvement to be able to crawl in the value chain, as well as strengthen the competitiveness of domestic products," said Gita Wirjawan Trade Minister, in a release received Kompas.com, Friday (04/13/2012).

In order to increase added value and competitiveness of the country, he said the government would build the Innovation Center for furniture products in Palu. Then the government will optimize its design center in Jepara and Cirebon and held a design competition by utilizing the type of rattan furniture which has been utilized. Revitalization of the National Design Centre will also be done by bringing in well-known designers to educate and train designers Indonesia.

With the increase in the value-added export value of rattan products also can be the greater. In the first three months of 2012, the export value of finished products either rattan furniture and handicraft has reached 58.2 million U.S. dollars. Expected by the end of 2012, exports will reach 275 million U.S. dollars. "Increasing exports of finished products of rattan furniture will definitely build a new entrepreneurial drive in the rattan industry," said Gita.

Regarding the issue of scarcity of raw materials of rattan, Gita explains the scarcity is due to the transition period at the beginning of the implementation of verification provisions for inter-island trade in rattan. "Plus, the increased demand for rattan by the domestic industry to meet the increasing demand for finished rattan products from home and abroad," he said.

Meanwhile, Director General of Domestic Trade Ministry of Commerce, Gunaryo, adding, the government has taken steps to address the shortage, among other information dissemination to the regional policy, the farmers bring the perpetrators of rattan with rattan-processing industry, and encourage financial institutions in the procurement of raw materials of rattan.