On July 8, 2025, in a continued push to strengthen economic ties with Southern Philippines, the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City facilitated an online business matching that connected 14 export-ready furniture companies from Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia with leading Chambers of Commerce in Mindanao, including those from Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, General Santos, Pagadian, and Zamboanga.
Titled “Business Matching Jepara Movement Consortium & Mindanao Chamber of Commerce”, the event highlighted Jepara’s global reputation as the World Carving Center and a long-time hub of exquisite, handcrafted furniture. The session allowed Philippine buyers and chambers to explore a diverse range of sustainable, custom-made, and high-quality furniture products — from teak and rattan outdoor sets to recycled wood interior pieces.
In her keynote address, Ms. Trisari Dyah Paramita, Secretary to the Directorate General for Asia Pacific and African Affairs of Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored the centuries-old cultural and trade ties between the Philippines and Indonesia, dating back to the Srivijaya and Mataram kingdoms. She expressed optimism that Jepara furniture could soon find a growing market among Filipino homes, hotels, and cafés.
Consul General Agus Trenggono, who leads the Indonesian mission in Davao, emphasized the importance of regional economic diplomacy. “This is more than just trade. It’s about connecting our people, our entrepreneurs, and building bridges through sustainable business,” he shared.
The featured Jepara companies — Unikya Furniture, PT Design Inspirasi Abadi, Alfa Living, Harapan Kita Furniture, Sony Sentral Industry, Tsabit Gallery, PT Bumi Kayra Abimana, PriorRio Galeria, Pioneer Furniture, CV Kinatama (Jeparabot), CV Pongge Antik, CV More Than Teak, Ihozz Studio, and Indonesia Legal Wood — currently export to markets across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. They presented eco-conscious production methods, customizable designs, and capacities ranging from 1 to 20 containers per month.
During the open forum, Mr. Bert Acut of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber raised concerns on logistics and the import of pre-processed furniture for local assembly. Ms. Novita Supit, Consul for Economic Affairs, clarified that while raw timber exports are restricted, semi-finished furniture is allowed, and direct shipments to Mindanao are feasible, as seen with existing Indonesian products like noodles.
The Pagadian Chamber pledged to disseminate company catalogs and product portfolios among its members and potential local buyers. Meanwhile, the Cagayan de Oro Chamber (Oro Chamber) expressed strong interest in exploring import partnerships and committed to facilitating further trade dialogues.
The Jepara Movement Consortium extended an invitation for Filipino buyers and chamber representatives to attend Octavest 2025, a hybrid furniture exhibition held every October in Jepara, as well as the Jepara International Furniture Buyers Week (GIFBW) held annually every March — both platforms offering firsthand experience of Jepara’s craftsmanship and production capacity.
“This is only the beginning,” said Mr. Muhammad Al-haq, representative of the Jepara Movement Consortium. “We are ready to collaborate and welcome Filipino partners to visit our factories, see our craftsmanship, and build lasting business relationships.”
This initiative is part of Indonesia’s broader effort to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the Philippines, particularly in trade, investment, and industry collaboration. Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City