Bale Rattan Lombok MSME Begins Exports to Spain

Lombok - Bale Rattan Lombok MSME, a rattan craft business from Central Lombok, has taken a major step. For the first time, Bale Rattan Lombok MSME has exported a full container of furniture products to Spain. The first export will depart at the end of August. The total export value is estimated at USD 15,000, or around IDR 200-250 million.

"Alhamdulillah, this is our first large-scale export under our own name. Previously, we had shipped to various countries, but in limited quantities," said Hartawaludin Awan, owner of Bale Rattan Lombok MSME.

The products shipped include various types of rattan crafts such as baskets, lamp decorations, small tables, and other furniture items.

"Rattan baskets are highly sought after. Besides being unique, they are also highly functional," he added.

Bale Rattan Lombok was founded in 2018, shortly after the Lombok earthquake. At that time, Hartawaludin lost his job as a tour guide due to the complete paralysis of tourism. Seeing the potential of rattan in his hometown, he decided to change direction. Hartawaludin chose to market rattan products made by local artisans to a wider market.

"We started from scratch, with the intention of supporting the local economy," he said.

So far, Bale Rattan products have reached Dubai, India, the Philippines, Japan, Germany, and most recently, Spain. These countries have shown a high level of interest in Indonesian handicrafts made from natural materials.

To meet the high demand from abroad, Bale Rattan Lombok doesn't work alone. They partner with three MSME partners in Central Lombok, specifically to produce large-sized items.

"For this export, we've prepared around 40 types of products. This is the result of collaboration with local artisan friends. We want to grow together," explained Hartawaludin.

This isn't just a business venture, but also a social mission: to improve the economy of the community, especially female rattan artisans in rural areas. Bale Rattan Lombok is focused on profit. However, its main goal is to introduce the beauty and uniqueness of local Indonesian products to the world stage, while also creating new jobs.

"I lost my job because of the earthquake. Now, I want to ensure more people can earn a living from our own cultural riches," he emphasized.

Bale Rattan Lombok also participated in IFEX 2026 in BSD, Tangerang, and attracted many visitors from various countries.