Citem invites exporters to participate in FAME

CEBU, Philippines - The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) of the Department of Trade and Industry is inviting Cebuano exporters as well as visiting foreign buyers to the FAME International Show, dubbed The Design and Lifestyle Event on October 17-20 this year at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Manila.

This is to provide another opportunity for exporters to gain market hold despite the continued weakening of two giant markets, the United States and Europe.

In Cebu, Citem is closely coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry-Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) to encourage more exporters to join the four-day exposition.

Reaching for greater heights, the Manila FAME International October show will be featuring exhibitors that would bear the message of quality and design excellence initially covering the recent product categories namely furniture and furnishings, holiday and gifts, and fashion accessories. 

Manila FAME management is also considering expanding product categories with high growth potentials, such as carpets/rugs, home linen, toys, kitchen and tableware and garden accessories.

With initial report indicating a 73.5 percent increase in both local and foreign buyer attendance, Manila FAME confirms its position as the premiere trade platform for Philippine manufacturers and exporters and a design hub that celebrates 100 percent Philippine craftsmanship.

As of October 2012, the Philippines’ importation of furniture dipped by 4.39 percent, an indication that the local market has started to patronize Philippine-made furniture pieces.

On the other hand, despite the popularity of the Philippines in producing high-end and world-class accents or furnishings, the country’s importation of furnishing products grew by 67 percent, based on the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion record.

Meanwhile, now, that the Philippines is seen to be one of the biggest markets that will be shared by the local furniture makers, industry players are confident of market strength, despite the availability of “affordable” imported home furnishing products.

The local furniture makers are now hitting the big-ticket furniture clients, such as hotels, condominiums and other institutional customers, said Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF) president Angela F. Paulin, adding that the industry is now taking advantage of the increasing demand for custom-made furniture products.

“We are now more sensitive to what the demands are,” she said, expressing confidence that shift of market focus among the furniture companies in the Philippines, specifically Cebu, is seen to sustain the industry in a longer, if not medium term.

Paulin admitted that the weakening of the furniture global market is not only brought about by the financial crunch experienced by the giant economies but also by other factors like natural calamities, disasters and political issues.

“Furniture is the last thing people will buy when they are facing ‘hiccup’ in economy,” she said.

“We want to show the local market that we have the capacity to supply the demand locally,” Paulin said.

While the local market is now taking the spotlight as the ‘savior’ market for the local furniture makers, it is also facing a challenge in embracing the production change, such as producing the smaller-scale volume. /JMD (FREEMAN)