Cebu furniture makers expect lasting benefits

As the completion of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) is seen to boost the furniture export industry in Cebu, the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF) officially announced its support for the full completion of the project.

"We have a stake in the completion of the CICC as it will be the future venue of the annual Cebu X show organized by CFIF," said CFIF president Michael C. Basubas.

Amidst the clamor on the escalating cost in the light of the government's preparation for the 12th ASEAN Summit, CFIF Basubas said the group is appealing to all concerned agencies that adequate funding must be allocated for the thorough completion of the world-class CICC, giving full credit to its name.

"Scrimping expenses to work around a tight budget will not help us attain the world-class standards that we are aiming for," Basubas said in a press conference.

Cebu X, an annual furniture international exhibition show of CFIF is considered the most cost-effective and viable marketing tool for most Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) today employing a huge employment base of over a million workforce in the entire country, both directly and indirectly hire, who are greatly dependent on the Philippine furniture industry for their utmost survival.

According to Basubas, CFIF believes that CICC can bring about a significant change on the look of Cebu X especially at these times when the immensely growing power of China as a competitor is greatly felt among the local exporters.

In 2008, CFIF will be holding the Cebu X at the CICC, which can accommodate a larger number of exhibitors, and this would make the show bigger thereby attracting more foreign buyers to come.

Basubas said the full completion of CICC will not only provide a one-shot-deal benefit as the main venue for the ASEAN Summit on December, but will greatly help Cebu's economy in general in the following years.

Trade show exhibitions like Cebu X is being run at international standards as such, it equally needs a world-class exhibitions venue at par with other exhibition centers around the world.

Compared to its Asian competitors that boast of huge trade exhibition centers, Cebu X is the only international trade show exhibition that is being held in a local hotel.

Next year's Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition or Cebu X will still be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotels and Casino. The show is scheduled to open on February 26. The four-day event will kick-off the Asian circuit of furniture shows.

Serving for over 30 years, CFIF is the primary support organization of the Philippine furniture and furnishing export industry responsible for fostering cooperation among its members, promoting the Philippines as major furniture and furnishing resource in the international markets.