Project News

An interview to a visited buyer

A large portion of demand for the rattan products in Palu is that of village communities who buy the products before the Lebaran holiday or Christmas, thus has been regarded as seasonal demand. In response to the challenge action set for the rattan industry, exploration of the modern segments in Palu's market, the Local Industry Action Plan proposed to conduct the survey of potential buyers in the modern segment in Palu City. Modern segment in this case covers the hotels, restaurants, offices (government in particular), public facilities (such as hospitals) and retailers of furniture.

A group of the survey team, led by the Dinas Industry & Trade Palu including a representative of producers' group, was formed to engage in the preparation of the survey questionnaire, identification of the potential buyers, and interview to those targeted buyers during January 2014. Potential buyers visited during the survey amounted to around 35, covering the buyers in the above modern segments. The survey was completed at the end of January

The survey revealed that there exist a certain volume of the buyers who prefer to rattan furniture, provide idea of product development (such as small products used in hotel room/ office), and prioritize the locally-made products. However, several buyers indicated inferior points of Palu's rattan products, which concentrate on the quality of finishing caused by poorly treated raw materials. The result is processed for the presentation at the seminar scheduled in the mid of March 2014, where both producers of rattan furniture and those visited buyers are invited.