The Department of Export Promotion is planning for the Thailand International Furniture Fair 2008 or TIFF 2008 to help stimulate the Thai furniture industry and contribute to steering Thailand to becoming Asia’s foremost furniture production and export hub. Leading furniture entrepreneurs from Thailand and beyond are all enthusiastic to showcase their outstanding furniture designs and production capabilities, as well as, to engage in trade negotiations with potential buyers from around the world. The event is expected to welcome as many as over 30,000 international visitors.

Mr. Rachane Potjanasuntorn, DEP Director-General, revealed that, “The Department of Export Promotion, together with, the Furniture Industry Club, the Federation of Thai Industries, and The Thai Furniture Industries Association, are once again joining forces in organizing the Thailand International Furniture Fair 2008 or TIFF 2008, which is already in its 12th consecutive year. The event will take place between March 12th-16th, 2008, at Challenger 2-3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. The first three days, March 12th-14th, will be open for trade negotiations, and the last two days, March 15th-16th, will be for public retailing.”

“We see TIFF events as a strategic marketing tool to help steer Thailand to becoming a leading furniture production and export hub in Asia. These events are a great platform for Thai furniture entrepreneurs to show the world their outstanding furniture designs, as well as, to engage in face-to-face trade negotiations with potential buyers from overseas.”, added Mr. Rachane. 

Visitors to this year’s event will delight in a comprehensive showcase of new furniture products and services from as many as 204 companies in 812 booths. They are leading manufacturers, entrepreneurs and providers of related businesses such as parts, equipment, machinery and interior decorative items. The exhibitors are from many different countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

The DEP anticipates that this 5-day event will welcome as many as 31,000 international visitors, approximately a 10% increase over the 29,313 visitors of last year. It is also expected to attract greater interest from potential buyers in new markets such as India, the Middle East and ASEAN.

Mr. Rachane further noted that, “As the world’s demands for quality furniture increase, Thai furniture product sales have a great opportunity to grow in many overseas markets, especially new markets with high purchasing power such as China, India, the U.A.E. and Russia. This is why our export level on furniture and furniture parts in 2007 was achieved at 1,294 million U.S. dollars, or 44,581 million Baht, an impressive 6% increase from the year before. We anticipate similar growth this year and expect the figure to reach 1,333 million U.S. dollars, or a 3% increase from 2007.”

“What we need to focus on now, perhaps, is to map out a marketing strategy to penetrate further into niche markets. This can be achieved by learning how to develop our furniture products to suit the specific requirements of these markets. This will help us gain more income from new markets, while at the same time, still maintain our market shares in major existing markets such as the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia and Italy. We will also need to establish our presence in new emerging markets including China, India, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Also, one important aspect to focus on is to promote the environmental awareness of Thai manufacturers, which is increasingly becoming a subject of importance for overseas buyers.”, added Mr. Rachane.

Highlights of the event are, undoubtedly, the outstanding product quality, as well as, the variety of innovative designs and raw materials. Visitors will also be updated with the latest furniture design trends, production and logistics technologies, as well as, the selection of quality raw materials and marketing plans for Thai furniture.

The ‘Design in Thailand’ exhibition is one of the many highlights not to be missed at the TIFF 2008 event. The exhibition presents design prototypes of up to 28 collections from participating new-generation designers who participated in the 2008 Furniture Designers Development Program. Also, there will be ‘Hotel Qualia’, an exhibition featuring lifestyle furniture items ideal for modern homes and boutique hotels, which is inspired by an in-depth research study on Thai furniture in Japan in 2008.

Also benefit from ‘Design Circle’, an all-in-one place where you can find simply everything you need regarding furniture product development service. Visitors will have a chance to make business connections with leading furniture exporters and importers. The booth is divided into three zones – ‘Independent Designers’, ‘Design Firms’ and ‘Design Institutes’.

Another zone not to be missed is the ‘Design Hall’, where visitors will have a chance to meet with over 50 leading furniture design companies in Thailand, all of which have their own distinctive style.

For more information, please contact:
Usanee Thavornkarn
Integrated Communication Co., Ltd.
Tel. 0 2354 3588 Email: usanee@incom.co.th