HCMC to host furniture, accessories fair

About 150 local and foreign enterprises will take part in the Viet Nam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair 2011 (VIFA 2011) in HCM City from March 11 to 14.

Held at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Conventional Centre in District 7, VIFA 2011 will feature 650 stalls displaying a wide range of furniture, handicrafts, equipment and tools for wood processing.

Wood processors and handicraft makers from HCM City and Ha Noi, and the provinces of Binh Duong, Binh Dinh, Dong Nai, Long An, Gia Lai and An Giang and firms from the US, China, Czech Republic and Singapore will exhibit at the event organised by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (Hawa) and Hawa Corporation.

“VIFA has officially become part of the series of International Furniture and Home Decor Fairs that are organised by the seven-member ASEAN Furniture Industry Council (AFIC),” said Hawa chairman Nguyen Chien Thang.

“Joining the AFIC it benefits the wood industries of all members, and promotes VIFA to importers in Japan, the US and other European countries,” Thang said.

Organisers have received 1,000 registrations from furniture import companies in 76 countries and territories, including Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, India and Hong Kong.

Most of these will seek new partners and suppliers at the fair. The fair also includes business meets, workshops and seminars such as seminar wood material resources for the wood industry in Vieât Nam and the Government’s development strategy for the next 10 years.

One highlight of the event is a workshop on “Wood products legality for exporters” on March 12, organised by Hawa and the Forest Legality Alliance and the UK Timber Trade Federation.

The workshop would help local exporters better understand the new US and European regulations involved in legal sourcing of wood products, public sector and industry procurement policies. — VNS

Tags: Viet Nam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair 2011, VIFA 2011