Sixth annual fair to further boost furniture sales
Sixth annual fair to further boost furniture sales
The sixth annual Vientiane Furniture Fair kicked off on Tuesday, aimed at boosting the integration of furniture markets in Lao provinces with those in neighbouring countries.
The fair has been held at Lao-ITECC in previous years, but 2013 is the first year businesses from other countries have displayed furniture at the fair, with more than 20,000 people expected to attend this year.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Head of Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department, Mr Berlin Phetchanthalath, said the fair would promote trade relations between the provinces of Laos and the provinces of neighbouring countries.
“This will enable wood processers and furniture makers to share their experiences with business units from other countries, discussing several new techniques of wood processing and how wood products can become value-added products,” he said.
According to the event organisers, two furniture businesses from Vietnam were invited to display their products, valued at about 956 million kip.
Numbers are up 35 percent on last year's fair, with 77 businesses from Xayaboury, Xieng Khuang, Huaphan, Vientiane, Borikhamxay, Champassak, Saravan and Xekong provinces exhib iting wood, rattan and bamboo products.
Furniture and household products on offer total more than 5.5 billion kip, and exhibitors are expected to earn an income of about 4 billion kip – a 20 percent increase on last year's revenue.
Agricultural prod ucts like tree saplings are also on display, and are expected to earn about 337 million kip.
Mr Berlin said the event will mark Arbor Day, on which Vientiane authorities will encourage the business sector, villagers and village authorities to plant trees.
The fair, which runs to June 2, is organised by the Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department, the Lao Furniture Association, National Wood Processing Industry Association and Lao-ITECC under the supervision of the Vientiane authority and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Vientiane Mayor, Mr Soukanh Mahalath, department heads and senior officials from relevant sectors were present at the event.
vientiane times
