MIFF set to repeat its success

70% of fair’s exhibitors have confirmed their participation again next year

PETALING JAYA: A significant 70% of exhibitors who participated in Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2013 that was held last month have confirmed their participation again for next year.

“These are mainly local exhibitors, as we tend to give priority to domestic companies to help them with their exports,” MIFF chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat told a briefing.

According to Tan, international exhibitors had also shown deep interest to participate in the next MIFF event scheduled from March 4 to 8 in 2014, and themed “We Are 20 and Stronger Than Ever For You”.

Tan revealed that these international exhibitors had requested bigger space which was being considered by MIFF.

“Exhibition space is a challenge for us each year. If we could have bigger space for our events, we believe that our MIFF events will be even bigger and more successful,” he said.

MIFF is an export-oriented furniture trade show held annually in Kuala Lumpur. It is renowned as South-East Asia’s leading show, attracting buyers from all over the world. It is the biggest furniture fair outside China for global exhibition organiser UBM.

The exhibition, held early last month for the 19th year, clinched record export sales of US$854mil (RM2.63bil), an increase of US$24mil from the US$830mil in sales last year. The fair attracted 18,397 trade visitors, of which 6,054 were international buyers from 140 countries.

The five-day event attracted a good turnout of buyers from the emerging region as well as strong traditional markets of Australia, Japan and the United States.

MIFF 2013 also saw a 25% increase in the number of exhibitors at 504, of which 343 were local companies, while the remainder were companies from 11 different countries.

The fair covered 80,000 sq m at the Putra World Trade Centre and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre. International exhibitors occupied 15% of the space allocated for the exhibition.

Tan pointed out that the record export sales generated from MIFF 2013, despite the global economic uncertainties, underscored the appeal of MIFF and its relevance to the global furniture market.

He added: “We are getting more high quality buyers from all over the world. We have very good feedback from the exhibitors who are pleased with their strong order books. This is definitely a big boost for MIFF going into our 20th anniversary next year.

“We noted that exhibitors or companies that come with good presentation at their booths and have new products to offer would have the competitive advantage in attracting customers.

“We are glad that our annual exhibition could also generate economic spin-offs, especially in tourism,” Tan said.

In recent years, MIFF has emerged as a springboard into fast-growing markets of South-East Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Middle East, Eastern Europe and South America.

MIFF is owned by UBM Asia and complements its series of trade shows in the region that includes Furniture China in Shanghai, Index fairs in India and UK Interiors.

The Star is the offcial media partner for the exhibition.