EFE 2016 – MALAYSIA’S PREMIER DESTINATION FOR THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY!

Come 2016, it is that time of the year again when the doors of major convention centres in Kuala Lumpur will open to potential buyers and suppliers of furniture.

The highbrowed trade fair, the Export Furniture Exhibition (EFE) offer nothing short of well-designed high quality furniture for buyers from all corners of the globe. It is Malaysia’s premier destination for the furniture industry, showcasing the latest innovation for wholesalers, retailers and designers. EFE is scheduled to take place from 5-8 March 2016. More than 300 furniture exhibitors from Malaysia and the region will showcase their latest designs and fresh collections at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). Moving into its 12th year, EFE 2016 with a gross exhibition space of 30,000sqm, will have 9 Halls as compared to 6 Halls in 2015.

For the first time, it will feature a “China Export Pavilion.” The objective of the China Export Pavilion is to provide opportunities and networking to do export to the world’s second largest economy by our local manufacturers. Much has been said about “Belt and Road,” a highly ambitious cross-continental and maritime integration plan by China. This initiative is oriented towards win-win cooperation, not only to achieve domestic economic growth but also to drive development of countries along both routes. The Malaysian government has voiced keen interest in being part of the initiative. Building on the foundation of the current collaboration between Malaysia and China in various sectors, more opportunities can be harnessed to meet the needs of respective countries. Hopefully, Malaysia can ride the wave of China’s aggressive push and with the presence of a China Export Pavilion at EFE 2016, it will further increase furniture exports to China.

With Malaysia as Chair to the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC) and the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the year end, EFE is a powerful platform for us to meet new customers, reach out to our existing clientele, and also to further increase brand awareness in the region. Strongly supported by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), the China Export Pavilion will further enhance exports to China.

EFE – Malaysia’s premier destination for the furniture industry, is a key buying and networking event in the furniture industry and held in conjunction with ‘Malaysia Furniture Week’ promoted by Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council (MFPC). Held annually every March, in Kuala Lumpur, the trade fair unites the furniture industry, offering exciting opportunities to talk face-to-face with some of Malaysia’s and the region’s leading manufacturers and retailers.

Professional Designers Programme (PDP)
The Professional Designers Programme (PDP) a collaboration between the Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council (MFPC) and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) with the support of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC), EFE is proud to cooperate with MFPC in this programme where an exclusive Hall is dedicated to MFPC in their much awaited designers event. With this idealism, MFPC is more confident that the promotion of Malaysian furniture world over will be more successful and hopefully will translate into a more dynamic export value of RM16 billion by the year 2020. This is the goal set by our National Timber Policy (NATIP).

PDP seeks to increase export values of Malaysian furniture by encouraging local manufacturers to venture into “Own Design Manufacturing” (ODM) as opposed to the current “Own Equipment Manufacturing ” (OEM) model. This programme is seen as a catalyst to the development of furniture design, uniting professional industrial and product designers and Malaysian furniture manufacturers.

A team of four Professional Designers from Europe (Italy & Belgium) will mentor 12 local furniture designers, consisting eight TANGGAM Designers ( TANGGAM is MTIB’s Design House), as well as four in-house designers from recipients of the Malaysia Pride recognition. At the end of the programme, the organisers target to have 20 prototypes produced by the participating Malaysia Pride recipients and approval from the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) on eight original designs created by the professional designers. EFE 2016 will showcase the 20 prototypes during the fair and will bring you exclusive insights into the world of design. Hopefully, this PDP initiative by MFPC will spearhead the nation’s charge to become a high-income nation.