HIMKI Aims For US Furniture Industry Exports Of IDR 6.51 Trillion Due To Los Angeles Fire

The Indonesian Furniture and Crafts Industry Association (HIMKI) predicts that there is potential for an export market to the United States (US) after being hit by a fire in the Los Angeles (LA) area, United States (US), in January 2025.

Chairman of HIMKI Abdul Sobur said that the fire that occurred in LA was an opportunity for the furniture industry with a market potential of around 400 million US dollars or equivalent to Rp. 6.51 trillion (assuming an exchange rate of Rp. 16,296).

"Yesterday the fire in America was actually an opportunity for us. Because all houses were damaged, right, it needed a furniture of 300 million US dollars or 400 million US dollars," said Sobur when met by reporters after the press conference at the Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX) 2025 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, Thursday, March 6.

Sobur assessed that requests would come when the affected victims resumed the construction of housing and filled new houses with the latest furniture.

Moreover, Sobur assessed that the US is the largest market for furniture or furniture industries from Indonesia.

"They may also (insure) the house, yes, (after) the fire. So it must be built again, that's actually an opportunity for us," he said.

He said, so far there has been a request from the country to fill the Los Angeles fire victims' residences. However, Sobur has not been able to explain in more detail.

Even so, Sobur believes that RI's furniture and furniture products can compete with the work of European furniture and furniture producing countries, such as Italy.

"Although we are aware, yes, a country like Italy that is champion may also be at the forefront there," he concluded.