Malaysian manufacturers head for top fair

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the downturn in most parts of the world, India remains as a country with one of the fastest growing economy on the back of robust private consumption and domestic reforms which are gradually being implemented by the Indian government.

India is a key market for investors who are trying to stimulate the nation’s appetite for a host of products and services.

Fuelled by a mushrooming urban middle class with an acqu i red taste for contemporary goods, which include furniture, has made India an important consumer market for timber- based manufacturers.

DelhiWood 2017 is a popular trade fair where some of the world’s best furniture manufacturers, sawmillers, woodworking professionals, builders, architects, interior designers and wood- based handicraft manufacturers gather.

The Malaysian Timber Counci l ( MTC) , which maintains a regular presence at the fair, has invited five Malaysian companies to exhibit their products at DelhiWood 2017.

The exhibition will be held at the India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida, India, from March 1 to 4, 2017.

Held biennially, DelhiWood 2017 covers 25,000 square metres of floor space and will host over 450 global brand leaders from 30 countries.

The number of exhibitors this year is expected to increase by 20 per cent compared with the previous fair in 2015.

“India is one of the most favoured investment destinations in the world and we want our local timberbased manufacturers to capitalise on what India has to offer,” said MTC chief executive officer Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Nik.

“Since 2008, India has been one of the top three major export markets for Malaysia’s timber products.

As of November 2016, Malaysia exported a total of RM1.41 billion worth of timber and timber products to India,” added Abdul Rahim.

India primarily imported logs, sawntimber, wooden furniture, builders’ carpentry and joinery, particleboard, fibreboard and plywood.

“Malaysian timber products are sought- after in India because they are durable and of high quality,” said Abdul Rahim, adding that the exhibition is a good platform for Malaysian manufacturers to reach out to potential buyers in India, see what’s new in the market, do competitive research and expand their business network.

The five companies that will be exhibiting their products at DelhiWood 2017 are PMH Timber Industries Sdn Bhd, K F Door Sdn Bhd, Latitude Tree Furniture Sdn Bhd, Sri Ledang Sdn Bhd and iMaskayu Door Export ( M) Sdn Bhd. — Bernama