Phl eyes lead in furniture design production in Asean

MANILA, Philippines - Furniture makers are aiming to position the Philippines as a top regional player design and production in furniture under its proposed industry road map.

“In terms of design-driven furniture, we want the Philippines to be top of mind for anybody coming in to Asia...That is basically our thrust in terms of our road map,” Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines president Nicolaas De Lange told reporters.

The proposed furniture industry road map will be presented to the Board of Investments this week.

The group wants to make the Philippines the region’s top country in furniture making and design in preparation for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) to be established by 2015.

The AEC is expected to allow free flow of goods, services, investment, skilled labor and capital within the region.

De Lange said that while local furniture makers serve the high-end market, it cannot compete with its Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of lowered costs.

“We cannot compete on price so we really have to compete in terms of lifestyle presentations and the way we will have to project the Philippine furniture as a product of outstanding quality and design,” he said.

To position the Philippines a strong player in furniture making and design, government support would be needed in terms of promotions said De Lange.