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Monday March 4, 2013

Malaysian International Furniture Fair 2013 aims to exceed RM2.64bil in sales


<B>Tan:</B> ‘Last year we attracted 6,600 buyers from 140 countries.’ Tan: ‘Last year we attracted 6,600 buyers from 140 countries.’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian International Furniture Fair 2013 (MIFF) exhibition aims to generate total sales exceeding RM2.64bil this year, a slight increase from the RM2.58bil achieved last year.

MIFF chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat said demand for furniture among visitors was increasing from in and out of Malaysia, which was evident from the number of exhibitors this year.

“Last year we attracted 6,600 buyers from 140 countries.

“This year we are targeting at least 7,500 overseas buyers,'” he said, adding that 70% of the exhibitors would be local.

The MIFF exhibition, the 19th so far, will be held from March 5 to 9 this year at two venues - the Putra World Trade Centre and Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre.

The event consists of a total exhibition space of 80,000 square metres with 500 furniture manufacturers and exporters taking part.

Free shuttle bus services will be provided to participants to and from both venues.

“With the increase in size and exhibitors this year, we believe there will be more varieties of furniture products for selection.

“The increase in size this year is due to the exclusive participation of the Muar Furniture Association with their members,” Tan said.

“We have promoted this event on a worldwide scale to cover about 160 countries,” he added.

Visitors expected at the show include furniture importers, wholesalers, retailers, architects, interior designers, decorators, chain stores and furniture traders.

Activities organised for the MIFF 2013 include a buyer's night, awards ceremony including the MIFF Furniture Design Competition and several industry seminars.

The MIFF Furniture Design Competition aims to offer a platform for designers who are already in the trade or those who are still studying to showcase their creativity, talent and innovativeness.

Tan said the designs of top 10 shortlisted finalists would be produced into prototypes for everyone to see at the exhibition while the top three winners will be awarded with cash prizes.

MIFF and UBM Malaysia are the organisers of the show. The co-organiser is ArcRadius Consulting Sdn Bhd and the diamond sponsor is Poh Huat Furniture Industries (M) Sdn Bhd.

The Star is the sole media partner of this exhibition.

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