A Resounding Success at Export Furniture Exhibition 2017
As one of the most important trade furniture exhibitions in the region, the Export Furniture Exhibition (EFE) 2017 has garnered much interest and the industry is rife with anticipation for the various opportunities and ideas that EFE has to offer. Buyers flocked to one of Southeast Asia’s leading furniture fairs when the 13th Export Furniture Exhibition (EFE) opened on Wednesday (8 March 2017), to kick off the buying season in Asia.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Mah Siew Keong, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Malaysia, officiated the annual show that brought together 269 exhibitors from Malaysia, Asia and ASEAN region in one of the most attractive trading platforms in the global furniture industry.
The fair covered a gross area of 32,000 square meters, an increase of 2,000 square meters (+6.7%) versus 30,000 square meters in 2016, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia’s leading convention facility. 269 furniture manufacturers, furnishing suppliers, exporters and designers showcased their latest and most impressive collections. This year, EFE continues to expand its global footprint by welcoming visitors from 141 countries including new buyers from Kosovo, Botswana, Belarus, Virgin Islands, Lithuania, Finland, Iceland, Argentina, Czech Republic and Rwanda. Exhibitors had the opportunity to meet up with these new buyers for networking and market expansion.
One of the highlights of the show was the ‘India Export Pavilion (IEP) ‘ at Hall 8 with a total space of 1,002sqm and 15 exhibiting companies. India Export Pavilion was made available with the main objective in providing our local furniture manufacturers to do export to India, the world’s largest democracy. India is one of the fastest growing economies today with its furniture market worth US17,822 million. Malaysia has good bilateral trade with India with trade volume at US$10.5 billion currently and poised to reach US$25.0 billion by 2020. Coupled with the strong spending power of India’s young generation, lower import tax of furniture and urbanization, India has huge potential for trade expansion and business growth. It is the next economic power in the making. With the huge potential export market to India, the country provides great opportunities for Malaysians to do export to India. The Pavilion displayed furniture products made for the India market and the trade platform serves its objectives well.
All in all, EFE 2017 has impressed the industry once again with a multitude of trade opportunities and design-centric elements. EFE continues to draw new buyers and visitors to source for its furniture. EFE has delivered yet again despite the global economic uncertainties. This underscores the continuing appeal of EFE and how it remains relevant in the global furniture market. Another significant appeal is it is getting more high quality buyers from all over the world. The positive feedback from exhibitors with their strong order books is a big boost for Export Furniture Exhibition going into its 14th anniversary next year.
With more than a decade of experience since its inaugural event in 2005, EFE remains as one of the most distinctive channels for regional and international companies to penetrate the global market. EFE remains a show renowned among international buyers for quality, value and wide selection of all types of furniture including the much sought Malaysian wood dining sets, bedroom and dressing furniture.
The next edition of EFE 2018 will be held from 9-12 March 2018 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) with another buying and networking opportunity awaiting global buyers and visitors.