TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The export value of furniture and handicrafts dropped by 22 percent this December to US$2.22 billion. Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industry Association chairman Ambar Tjahyono, said this was due to the global economic crisis that had affected destination countries in the US and Europe. “Exports are still focused in those areas,” he said in a press conference yesterday. Last September, the total value of furniture and handicraft exports reached $1.67 billion. Furniture exports were $1.32 billion while the total handicraft export value reached $342.4 million. Nevertheless, Ambar said the fall would not be prolonged. In order to achieve the $2.7 billion target next year, exports will focus on Asian countries that are relatively safe from the global crisis. International handicraft and furniture exhibitions will also be held to boost sales overseas. MUHAMAD RIZKI