(From left) Tan, Informa Markets in Asia president Margaret Ma Connolly, Wang and Lim. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
In conjunction with its 30th anniversary, the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) is sponsoring RM50,000 worth of The Star epaper for university students.
MIFF general manager Kelie Lim said the sponsorship was in line with its efforts to invest in the development of the younger generation.
“Our partnership with The Star epaper reflects our commitment to help students to acquire good language skills to be effective communicators and create a reading culture.
Fadillah says MIFF has generated RM85.8bil in sales.
“This is in line with our own effort to invest in the development of young people through the MIFF Furniture Design Competition to become professional designers to sustain the future of Malaysia’s furniture industry,” said Lim at a gala dinner held at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec).
Star Media Group (SMG) chief business officer Lydia Wang said MIFF had taken the Malaysian brand global and done well for over 15 years.
She noted that MIFF had also showcased its commitment to nurturing the younger generation.
“SMG is proud to be MIFF’s official partner and we wish great success in the years to come.
“MIFF has brought Malaysia to the global forefront in the furniture world and we congratulate them.
“We are also grateful to MIFF for its generosity to invest in the future generation by supporting our epaper sponsorship to university students,” said Wang.
Some 500 distinguished guests, exhibitors and business partners joined the celebration marking the success of MIFF.
The guest of honour at the dinner was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister.
“Over the past 30 years, MIFF has played an exemplary role as a business pioneer in the international furniture trade and pivotal pillar as the largest export platform for Malaysian furniture.
“By bringing international buyers to the doorstep of Malaysian companies, MIFF has made it possible for a cottage industry to become a global export force and pave the way for the expansion of the industry,” said Fadillah.
“Between 1973 and 2002, the timber and timber product exports have grown by 33 times from RM749mil to RM25.2bil.
“MIFF alone has generated US$18.4bil (RM85.8bil) in sales in its history.
“This year, MIFF posted its strongest performance with record orders of US$1.23bil (RM5.74bil), which is a 19% increase from its pre-pandemic peak (US$1.01bil or RM4.71bil).
“This has bucked the trend of slowing global furniture demand.
“My congratulations to all the industry players,” he said.
He added that under the National Agricommodity Policy 2021-2030, the export value of Malaysian timber and timber products was targeted to achieve RM28bil by 2025, in which 68% or RM19bil was from the downstream sector.
At the event, MIFF founder and chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat said hard work was the key to success.
“We will always work hand-in-hand with the industry and the government to enhance the business climate and be more innovative and resilient.
“MIFF 2024 will take place next year from March 1 to 4 in Mitec and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
“There will be more exhibitors and buyers from all over the world,” he said.
