05 March 2014
2
Day
04 â 08 March | 0930 â 1800 hrs PWTC & MECC
The official show news of the Malaysian International Furniture Fair
Highlights
MIFF 2014:
20 First Dates Discover MIFF Loyal exhibitors.
Officials expect increase in sales
by Diana Uy Furnish Now writer
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Fabulous Furniture Furniture is as fabulous as ever at MIFF 2014
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IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Buyersâ Night
WHAT : MIFF 2014 BUYERSâ NIGHT
WHEN : 5 March 2014 (Wednesday), 6.00 pm
WHERE : Grand Ballroom, Sunway Putra Hotel
Open to international buyers only. Collect tickets from International Buyersâ Lounge, PWTC Level 3. Tickets are available on first-come, first-serve basis. HURRY, go grab your tickets now!
T
he 20th Malaysian Furniture Fair 2014 has officially opened. Chairman and founder Datoâ Dr. Tan Chin Huat expects this yearâs MIFF to generate a five percent increase from on-site sales compared to last yearâs US$854 million. Confident that MIFF is getting better every year, Datoâ Tan said that he is positive MIFF will reach that goal as shown by the good turnout of exhibitors and participants in the current trade show. âTwenty years ago, MIFF started with a group of about 152 local exhibitors in PWTC (Putra World Trade Centre). Since then, we gave grown rapidly to become one of the premier furniture trade shows in the world and the leading industry event in Southeast Asia,â Datoâ Tan said during his speech at the MIFF 2014 opening ceremony held at the Pacific Ballroom, Seri Pacific Hotel on March 4. Datoâ Tan added that MIFFâs focus has always been to meet and exceed the expectations of exhibitors and buyers and deliver the best organised furniture show possible. âWe are very proud to be serving the Malaysian and global industry for 20 years and will continue to do so, and provide even more future business opportunities,â he said. In a speech delivered by Deputy Secretary Mohd Ridzal Sheriff noted that MIFF has evolved into Southeast Asiaâs No. 1 furniture fair and a âsought after event by the global industry every year.â
Datoâ Mohd Ridzal said that MIFF provides a strategic platform for furniture businesses, contract buyers, international chain stores, hoteliers, architects and interior decorators to meet and source for their requirements as well as establishing business networks. âIt is also a strong platform for B2B networking,â he said. UBM Asia President and CEO Jime Essink added: âMIFF has built up a strong presence by delivering effective services to exhibitors and buyers, creating real business and opening new opportunities and a gateway into the fast growing emerging market.â Mr. Essink said that MIFF is one of the seven world-wide furniture events dedicated to the furniture industry by UBM. âThis gives our customers the added advantage to benefit from the synergy of these exhibitors at Furniture China, Index Fairs in India, FIDExpo in Russia, Indonesia International Furniture Expo, Interiors U.K. and May Design Series in the U.K., to explore new business opportunities and maximise best sourcing channels,â Essink said. A total of 500 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions are showcasing their latest collections, covering an estimated 80,000 sqm of space in two venues: Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and the Matrade Exhibition and Conference Centre (MEEC) in Jalan Duta. Apart from Malaysia, exhibitors include those from China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, U.K., U.S., Vietnam and Iran.
âWe have a lot of new delegations coming this year. [And we see] more and more international exhibitors wanting to participate in our showsâ, Datoâ Tan said. The anticipated activities in the five-day furniture show include the presentation of the Furniture Excellence Award and Best Presentation Award to exhibitors. MIFF will be announcing the winner of the MIFF Furniture Design Competition on March 6 at MECC. Visitors and participants can also visit the special gallery chronicling the history of MIFF. There will also be a seminar discussing the latest developments and trends in the industry. âMIFF is a testimony of the global acceptance of our furniture products, which are of world class quality. I look forward to seeing more Malaysian companies penetrating this high value market segment,â Datoâ Mohd Ridzal concluded.
PWTC Level 3 press board showing MIFF anniversary gallery