KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 — The Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2023 has opened with a record-breaking number of 671 exhibitors from 11 countries in a show of its appeal in the global furniture trade.
Running from March 1-4, 2023, the show shrugged off the Covid-19 pandemic blues to stage a full-scale return as Southeast Asia’s largest industry event and the biggest export platform for Malaysian furniture.
The exhibition floor covers a total of 80,000 square metres, as well as the exhibitors’ number growing by 12 per cent more from its previous best in MIFF 2019.
“This proves that the industry people are actually looking forward to having business seriously and coming back to business.
“The exhibition is witnessing significant demand from exhibitors and high-quality trade buyers who are seeking to strengthen their supply network against more disruptions after the pandemic,” he told Bernama at the sidelines of the MIFF 2023 here today.
Tan said MIFF 2023 is expecting to welcome 20,000 buyers from 130 countries and regions, including Japan, the United States, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In 2019, the show recorded sales of US$1.01 billion (US$1=RM4.4930) and subsequently, during the pandemic, MIFF ran a digital marketplace.
In July 2022, after Malaysia reopened its borders, a scaled-down special edition was held with about US$300-400 million in sales registered.
“This year MIFF is a boon for global buyers, many making their way back to Kuala Lumpur for the second time in eight months,” Tan said, adding that he expects sales to grow between 10 and 15 per cent from the 2019 edition.
Tan said the lost pandemic years have shown the importance of MIFF in global furniture commerce as a relevant and steady partner for business growth.
“It encourages real opportunities for MIFF and the Malaysian furniture industry to work closely with other stakeholders to develop new prospects and new markets.
“Although there are some improvements, the global supply chain is still volatile, while the global economy has not fully recovered,” he added.
Tan said after the Covid-19 pandemic, furniture retailers are seeking to normalise their business and look for alternative sourcing destinations.
“Therefore, we remain committed to delivering high standards and providing our customers with the best experience possible,” he said, adding that the United States registered the highest number of participants registered.
MIFF is organised by Southeast Asia’s largest business-to-business furniture trade show organiser, Informa Markets.
In addition, China’s border reopening will bring over 200 companies from several cities and the the debut of Furniture China @Malaysia Show at MIFF for its maiden edition outside Shanghai.
The list of Malaysian companies is led by the country’s largest manufacturers such as Poh Huat,
Ecomate, Favourite Design, SWS, Wegmans, Ivorie, Merryfair, Step Furniture, WA Furniture, Inception,
and Lifestyle International.
In conjunction with the trade show, there are also six industry seminars helmed by local and international experts who will be discussing, among others, the impacts of environmental, social and governance and industry outlook after Covid-19. — Bernama
