(VEN) - The 2010 Vietnam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair (VIFA 2010) took place in Ho Chi Minh City from March 11-14. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh Bien attended the opening ceremony of the fair. Below are the opinions of Industry and Trade Ministry leaders and domestic and foreign wood companies that took part in VIFA 2010.
1. Nguyen Thanh Bien, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade:
Wood products are among Vietnam's key export products and are exported to 120 countries and territories. Vietnamese wood processing companies have made great efforts to seek new markets and they have invested in modernizing technology and machinery. Their workers are skillful. Despite the adverse impacts of the global economic crisis, domestic wood processing companies have actively diversified products and export markets. Their great efforts to overcome difficulties are praiseworthy. To continue to develop and be firmly positioned on the world market, domestic wood companies must be supported by governmental organizations at both central and local levels, especially in the field of trade promotion. With more than 600 stalls presenting diverse products of 150 companies, VIFA 2010 organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Handicraft and Wood Industry Association (HAWA) was an effective trade promotion event that would help domestic wood companies increase domestic sales and exports.
2. Nguyen Chien Thang, HAWA president:
Participants in VIFA 2010 included not only domestic wood processing companies and handicraft makers but also foreign companies from Malaysia, Hong Kong (China), China and some other countries, which specialize in supplying raw timber, wood processing equipment and controlling the quality of wood products. VIFA 2010 has been recognized by the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Furniture Industries Council (AFIC) as part of a series of international fairs on wood products and indoor furniture of seven member countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam, which took place from March 2-14, 2010. Via AFIC, VIFA 2010 has been presented widely to large customers and importers in the world such as the US, Japan and the EU. With global reputation, VIFA 2010 is believed to benefit not only HAWA members but also all companies in the domestic wood sector, helping them expand production and increase exports.
3. Huynh Quang Thanh, general director of the Hiep Long Fine Furniture Company (Binh Duong province):
A large wood product maker, we have participated in VIFA for many years, including VIFA 2010, because this event attracts a large number of foreign visitors, especially purchasers. Participation in VIFA 2010 would make it possible for domestic companies to receive big orders in the time to come, especially from European customers. I think from 2010 the sales of wood products will increase because the stores of most suppliers are now empty and the economy is recovering.
4. Michael Buckley, an expert of the American Hardwood Industries, USA:
Vietnam is an important wood product market but due to the lack of raw timber, Vietnam has to import, especially hardwood - the material to make indoor furniture such as floor and kitchen equipment. We are present here to introduce to Vietnamese producers the functions and technical specifications of American hardwood. Though it has been organized for just several years, VIFA 2010 was really an international event. In March many wood product fairs and exhibitions took place in the Southeast Asian region, and we chose VIFA because it was organized in one place for the convenience of visitors but not two or three places like similar events of other countries. We will participate in VIFA of the years to come.
5. Helmut Merkel, editor-in-chief of the Moebel Markt magazine (Germany):
In March I attended many wood product fairs and exhibitions in Asia and I think VIFA 2010 was a good fair in that series. At VIFA 2010, participating companies presented products that were designed to suit consumer tastes, especially the tastes of European consumers. More and more wood product purchasers in the world know about VIFA and its advantages. I think the advantage of VIFA 2010 is hardwood products and outdoor furniture./.
Ngoc Long
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