Going to the fair

For the first time, Manila will not co-host the international trade show put together annually by the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines. The Clark Special Economic Zone will.

Clark’s Centennial Expo is not just a bigger venue, with 12,400 square meters available to 230 exhibitors. It is also a few minutes’ drive from the Mimosa villas where CFIP has leased and fully furnished 15 two-bedroom detached bungalows with pieces of furniture and house décor.

"The idea is to present the products the way they would be used in a home or a hotel. This has never been before anywhere in the world," said CFIP vice-president for market development Eduardo Zuluaga.

Asian Circuit

The 7th Philippine International Furniture Show in Clark, which will be held from Feb. 28 to March 3, is part of the Asian furniture buyers’ circuit that starts in the Philippines and ends in China. The circuit starts on Feb. 26 in Cebu, where the bulk of furniture makers in the Visayas and Mindanao are based. Then, the buyers will be whisked off to Pampanga, which is home for most of the furniture makers in Luzon.

"This is our advantage. Because we are the first leg, there is no comparison yet," said Zuluaga.

The Philippines currently accounts to about 10% of furniture exports worldwide. As of October last year, the industry generated $258 million, equivalent to 1% of total exports. The United States accounted for 60% of total shipments.

Preparation

This year, CFIP expects to generate orders amounting to $20 million from the trade show, an improvement from the $16 million worth of orders brought about by the recession in the US.

"We have budgeted P19 million for the trade show this year compared to only P7 million last year. But it’s money well spent. We have prepared for this show and we are confident we will pool more orders from buyers, both foreign and local," said Zuluaga.

Last year, CFIP earned P360,000 from the P150 entrance fee paid by locals. " Local visitors are very welcome. Those who want to visit the show can take the shuttle that will take them from SM Megamall along EDSA to the fair grounds for free," he said.