Malaysian International Furniture Fair to Promote Regional Competitiveness and Integration

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southeast Asia's leading Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) seeks to promote greater competitiveness and integration of the Asean furniture industry.

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Regional furniture makers can look to MIFF as springboard to gain new markets within Asean and also across the globe, said MIFF Chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat today.

"Buyers from all over the world are looking to Southeast Asia for furniture supply. MIFF attracts about 7,000 overseas buyers from over 140 countries and this generates a lot of potential as well as opportunities," he said.

"In this regard we look forward and welcome more exhibitors from Asean to join us. MIFF provides the best platform for regional manufacturers and supplies to display their products and establish new markets within and outside Asean."

Increased Asean participation would further enhance the region's reputation and competitiveness as a global furniture supply hub, Tan added.

Exhibitors will also benefit from the exposure and extensive reach of UBM Asia, the organiser of MIFF. UBM runs over 150 fairs in Asia including Furniture China, the world's largest furniture show, and Index fairs in India,

MIFF attracts an average of 500 exhibitors with 70% from Malaysia and 30% from other countries and regions.

In recent years, Asean nationals make up more than a fifth of buyers followed by visitors from East Asia, Europe, other Asian countries, Middle East, Australasia, North America and South America.

MIFF 2012 was another great success despite the global economic climate. It netted record sales of US$830 million.

Next year's MIFF is scheduled from March 5 to 9, 2013. It will fill 75,000 sq metres of display space at the Putra World Trade Centre and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Asean, in short for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR 2013
Date: March 5-9, 2013
Venue: Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre (MECC)
Host City: Kuala Lumpur
Exhibition Space: 75,000 sq metres
No. of Exhibitors: 500  
No. of Foreign Visitors:  7,000
No. of Buyer Countries: Over 140 countries
Exhibiting Countries Anticipated:  Malaysia, mainland China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Egypt, Japan and the U.S.
Exhibits: Furniture of all types, fittings and accessories

MIFF 2012 STATISTICS
Turnover: US$830 million (6.68% increase)
Foreign Buyers: 6,605 (1.56% increase)
Total Countries: 140
Country Breakdown: ASEAN region (21.4%), Far East (15.4%), Europe (12.9%), other Asian countries (12.8%), the Middle East (11.1%), Africa (9.4%), Australasia (8.9%), North America (6.1%) and South America (2.1%).

Notes to Editors

1. About MIFF (www.miff.com.my)

Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) is an export-oriented furniture trade show held annually in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is also a global leading trade show approved by UFI, The Global Association for Exhibition Industry. Since 1995, MIFF has nurtured invaluable partnerships between thousands of buyers and furniture makers across the globe.

2. About UBM Asia (www.ubmasia.com)

Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia operates in 18 market sectors with headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia, including UBM China in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Beijing. We have over 200 products including trade fairs, conferences, trade publications, B2B/B2C portals and virtual event services. As Asia's leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in China, India and Malaysia, we stage the leading events of their kind across Asia. Our 150 events, 24 publications and 16 vertical portals serve a 1,000,000 plus quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world with high value face-to-face business-matching events, quality and instant news on market and industry trends and round-the-clock online trading networks.