At the beginning of 2012 the Indonesian government totally banned the export of raw and semi processed rattan materials with the intention of reviving their local furniture manufacturing industry. The embargo is in place primarily to encourage and increase production and consumption of Indonesian home produced rattan items. But as a result of the ban, specialist rattan cane restoration businesses all over the world have been affected. The price of rattan has rocketed and now, there is a distinct shortage of working materials with no prospect of this situation improving. The embargo was never intended to disrupt the work of restoration specialists, but this trade has become an unfortunate victim. The long term effects of the embargo will be felt by furniture restorers, the antiques trade, museums, galleries, the general public and will inevitably lead to job losses amongst the small but important group of highly capable craft specialists worldwide.

Our aim is to persuade Parliament to encourage the Indonesian government to consider issuing special licences to established companies currently importing rattan products for use solely within the restoration trade in order that we may continue our important heritage craft.

So please, lend us your support!

Russell Theaker.