Ecobiz.asia – The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) is committed to boosting the export value of forest products that are produced responsibly and sustainably. This export growth will be accompanied by efforts to increase the domestic market value, further stimulating downstream forest product industries.
Ristianto Pribadi, Director of Forest Product Processing and Marketing at KLHK, emphasized that sustainable forest management is a national strategy to ensure that forests can continue to serve as a reliable source of raw materials for wood products while maintaining ecological balance.
“The success of implementing sustainable forest management depends on everyone involved in the wood product supply chain, all the way to consumers. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance traceability, efficiency, and the conservation of raw materials,” Ristianto stated during the opening of the International Furniture Manufacturing Components Exhibition (IFMAC) and the International Woodworking Machinery Exhibition (WOODMAC) in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
Ristianto, highlighted that IFMAC-WOODMAC provides an excellent opportunity to explore new technologies and innovations aimed at strengthening the link between sustainable forests and the wood processing industry.
“The latest industrial machinery and equipment will improve raw material efficiency, encourage the use of environmentally friendly materials, reduce waste, and address climate change issues,” he said.
He also pointed out that the global market has increasingly demanded sustainably produced goods in recent years. Both business and individual consumers are calling for greater transparency and eco-friendly products, with a focus on supply chain governance, including wood products.
“We must work together to ensure that raw materials used by industries are sourced legally and managed sustainably,” Ristianto stressed.
In response to global market demands, Indonesia has developed the Timber Legality and Sustainability Verification System (SVLK), designed to ensure that wood products come from legal and sustainable sources while also improving forest governance. The SVLK system has gained global recognition, including from the European Union.
According to KLHK’s data, the export value of forest products as of August 2024 reached USD 8.22 billion.
Wood panels contributed 17.75% of the total, amounting to USD 1.47 billion, while furniture made up 12.33% (USD 1.01 billion), and woodworking contributed 6.8% (USD 566.12 million). ***
