Newly appointed chairman of HIMKI, Supriyadi, addressing management and members at the 2nd HIMKI National Conference (Photograph: HIMKI)
Supriyadi has been elected the new chairman of the Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Association (Himpunan Industri Mebel dan Kerajinan Indonesia [HIMKI]), replacing Ir. Soenoto, at the 2nd HIMKI National Conference held at Hotel Santika Cirebon from 18 to 19 August 2020. Supriyadi previously served as Advisory Board Member of HIMKI’s Regional Representative Council.
In his inaugural speech, Supriyadi thanked management and members for entrusting the leadership of HIMKI to him. He announced his determination in transforming HIMKI into a bigger ship that embraces all parties and leading HIMKI to financial independence.
Advancing the industry
HIMKI is the result of a merger of two furniture and craft industry organisations: the Furniture & Crafts Association of the Republic of Indonesia (AMKRI) and the Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industry Association (ASMINDO). This fusion was realised by the strong desire of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo to unite the two associations to become a single, strong, large forum and possibly a critical government partner to encourage the competitiveness of furniture and handicraft products in domestic and foreign markets.
HIMKI was formed on 31 May 2016 in Jakarta and was inaugurated on 28 July 2016 at the Ministry of Industry Building, Jakarta. On the day of its inauguration, it was approved by President Widodo at the State Palace in Jakarta.
HIMKI as an association of business actors in the furniture and handicraft industry sector, in the broadest sense, realizes its responsibility to foster and develop harmonious cooperation, encourage equal opportunities for business and participate in implementing national development in the economic sector.
HIMKI continues to develop and strengthen the national furniture and handicraft industry, which includes ensuring the continuity of supply of raw and supporting materials, enhancing product design and innovation, increasing production capacity, developing human resources, promotion and marketing, as well as institutional development so that it can make a real contribution to the industry.
Staying optimistic
HIMKI is optimistic that this industry will continue to experience growth. With an abundance of raw material for forest products, as well as skilled manpower, Indonesia can become a leader for the furniture and handicraft industry in the ASEAN region.
However, there are still counterproductive policies that make the Indonesian furniture and craft industry less developed. Among these policies is the existence of a government-enforced timber legality and verification system (SVLK). This makes the price of raw materials for the timber industry uncompetitive compared to our competitors, such as Malaysia and Vietnam, because processing the SVLK and some of the supporting permits is very expensive.
HIMKI is concerned about the increasing interest in the export of logs and rattan raw materials. Referring to the national furniture and craft industry development matrix regarding the security of raw materials as the main supporting guarantee for industrial growth, which was initiated by HIMKI, the plan to open the export of logs and rattan raw materials must be prevented because these raw materials will eventually be exported completely as happened several years ago with rattan raw materials.
