MIFF expects 5pc sales growth

The Malaysian International Furniture Fair 2013 (MIFF 2013) expects to rake in sales exceeding the RM2.57 billion recorded in 2012.

MIFF Chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat said the group was aiming for a five per cent increase in terms of total sales for this year.

This is based on the 10 per cent increase in the number of pre-registered customers who had registered online.

"We are optimistic of achieving at least a five per cent increase in sales from last year," he told reporters, after the opening of the MIFF 2013 by the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok here
today.

The five-day exhibition which began today at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC), is expected to draw about 20,000 visitors, including more than 6,000 from 140 countries.

Tan said the fair had grown to be about 25 per cent bigger this year in terms of exhibition space.

"The bigger fair brings together opportunities for exhibitors and buyers to explore more business and network," he added.

He said the furniture industry's momentum was still strong despite the gloomy global economic outlook.

"While the United States and Japan have been the top buyers of Malaysian furniture in recent years, we have seen growing interest and demand from neighbouring Asean countries as well as Latin America, Central Asia and the Middle East.

"The country’s exports figures for furniture products still remains vibrant," he added.

The MIFF 2013 will showcase a wide range of furniture, furniture
accessories, fittings and hardware.

The fair has been endorsed by various ministries and government agencies, including the International Trade and Industry Ministry.

With 80,000 square metres of exhibition space, the fair has attracted about 509 furniture manufacturers and exporters from Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, the US, India, Spain and Turkey.-- Bernama