CIREBON, KOMPAS.com - Hundreds of craftsmen grouped in the Indonesian Rattan Furniture and Handicraft Makers Association (AMKRI) said they needed some 6,000 tons of raw rattan per month.
AMKRI Chairman M Hatta said here on Wednesday their need for raw rattan had increased following the government’s policy to ban raw rattan exports. He said businessmen engaged in the rattan-based goods trade used to receive only small orders when raw rattan exports were still allowed but since January 2012 rattan business had begun to thrive again after the government issued a ban on the export of raw rattan.
Producers were encouraged again. "Cirebon is the main production center of high quality rattan-based goods in Indonesia and recognized as such by consumers in many countries."
Cirebon district head H Dedi Supardi MM said rattan business in Cirebon had begun to flourish again after the government issued its ban on raw rattan exports. He said that it was an opportunity for hundreds of rattan craftsmen to meet orders from various countries and he expressed hope that orders would increase to their level before 2005.
