Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas accepts a souvenir from UBM Asia president Jime Essink.
KUALA LUMPUR: Local furniture designers must start coming up with more original concepts to strengthen the “Made in Malaysia” furniture brand, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas.
This is as the country plays host to the largest global furniture market in Southeast Asia with the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF).
“With over 500 manufacturers and exporters from 14 countries showcasing top of the line home accessories, Malaysia must not be left out.
“Malaysia, bolstered by its timber industry, is the eighth largest furniture exporter in the world, with exports valued at RM9bil last year,” said Uggah.
He said he was confident that Malaysia’s furniture market could breach the RM10bil mark this year, with original designs being the main selling point.
“At the moment, we are very much supplying what is required for the market but we are looking to have our own Malaysian designs. Some of our wood is quite unique to Malaysia, which could be a brand for Malaysian products. So, we are moving along those types.
“This includes giving greater emphasis on design for the production of innovatively-designed, market oriented products as well as the use of automation to increase productivity and quality,” he said after launching the five-day fair here yesterday.
The ministry, he said, planned to organise furniture design competitions to drive local businesses into coming up with more original ideas for furniture, rather than sticking to safe generic models.
The Government, he said, would also ramp up promotions of Malaysian-made furniture to markets in China, India and Europe in a bid to increase revenue. Malaysia is targeting RM16bil in earnings from furniture exports by 2020.
“Malaysia exports furniture to 160 countries,” he said.
Organised by UBM Asia, the MIFF is the only trade show outside of mainland China and Hong Kong to be selected for the UBM-Alibaba business to business (B2B) strategic alliance allowing suppliers to enjoy the privileges of a Trade Assurance programme.
Under this programme, buyers through the Alibaba.com platform can gain protection coverage starting at US$40,000 (RM167,000) from selected MIFF exhibitors should they fail to meet product quality or shipment time.
In return, MIFF exhibitors gain additional benefits of reliability and expand buyer reach by becoming Alibaba.com Trade Assured members.
The MIFF runs until Saturday at the Putra World Trade Centre and MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre.
MIFF chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat said the fair was expected to grow even bigger in 2018 with the opening of the new Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
“MIFF 2018 will be at least 25% bigger, up to 100,000 square metres. The expansion will open up more opportunities for our exhibitors and Malaysian companies to increase exports, especially as a trade partner with Alibaba,” he said.
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