UBM Asia Ltd., in conjunction with the Indonesia Furniture Assn., will launch the Indonesian International Furniture Exposition March 11-14 at the Jakarta International Expo March 12-15 at the Jakarta Convention Centre.

The announcement was made at a press conference here with representatives Christopher Eve, senior vice president of UBM Asia; Mr. Soenoto, chairman of AMKRI; Benny Wahyudi, director general of Agro Industry-Ministry of Industry; and Mr. Gusmardi Bustami, director general for National Export Development-Ministry of Trade presiding.
According to Soenoto, the exhibition is expected to host 500 furniture manufacturers and 5,000 furniture buyers. Supported by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia, IFEX will showcase furniture made of various materials with a focus on hardwoods as well as furniture produced from rattan, bamboo, and mango tree timber.

The Indonesia furniture export industry is worth US$1.7 billion. Bustami said at the press conference that Indonesia's furniture export is expected to nearly triple to US$5 billion within five years.

"Indonesia has a vast furniture industry and it is ready to further expand its already substantial export potential," said Eve. "Indonesia's strengths lay in its manufacturers' high level of craftsmanship, manufacturing capacity and traditional as well as modern designs. In addition, Indonesia has ample supplies of raw materials, from sustainably sourced woods to rattan, bamboo and fabrics. We are proud to partner with the AMKRI, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Industry, to create higher business platforms, opportunities and visibility to the Indonesian furniture industry."

UBM says it has the most extensive trade exhibition network in Southeast Asia with over 50 events spanning eight cities.