VIFA 2010 to restore and enhance export of wood products

The Vietnam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair 2010 (VIFA) organized by the HCMC Handicraft and Wood Industry Association (Hawa) with the slogan Restoring and Enhancing the Export of Wood Products is set to take place at the Saigon Convention 6 Exhibition Center in HCMC's District 7 March 11-14.

"2009 was a difficult year for our business due to the economic downturn which caused wood product export turnover to drop approximately 7% compared to 2008. However, with production contracts back in large quantity since January, we think the downturn is over and hope VIFA 2010 will be an opportunity to boost wood product exports," Hawa chairman Nguyen Chien Thang told the Daily at the VIFA 2010 press conference yesterday.

According to Hawa, VIFA 2010 has registered 600 booths of 150 local and international enterprises from HCMC, Hanoi, Binh Duong, Binh Dinh, Dong Nai, Long An, An Giang, Gia Lai and elsewhere. In addition to wood processing and handicraft companies, VIFA 2010 will see the participation of enterprises specializing in manufacturing machinery, tools, accessories, equipment and internationally-standardized quality control services from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, England and China.

VIFA 2010 has been chosen as one of the National Trade Promotion Programs by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This year also marks the first participation in the fair circuit for major furniture and home decor trade shows of the seven members of the ASEAN Furniture Industry Council (AFIC), Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam from February 4 to March 14.

Thang said VIFA2010 joining the AFIC fair circuit would hopefully attract the attention of more international importers from the U.S., Japan and European countries.

VIFA is an annual fair organized by Hawa and this is the third year since the first VIFA in 2008. VIFA 2009 had 570 booths with over 10,000 local and international visitors. According to the organizer, 130 contracts valued at US$70 million were signed after last year's fair.

(Source: The Saigon Time Daily)