Vientiane furniture fair promotes Lao products
Vientiane furniture fair promotes Lao products
The seventh annual Vientiane Furniture Fair 2014 will be held on May 26-June 1 at Lao-ITECC, aiming to boost the image of Lao furniture products and more closely integrate the industry with neighbouring countries.
The fair was announced by the Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department in cooperation with the Lao Furniture Association and Lao-ITECC in Vientiane on Tuesday.
This year's fair is expected to have more than 200 stalls of business entrepreneurs, head of the Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department, Mr Berlin Phetchanthalath said at the press conference.
The products on display will include furniture, rattan goods, bamboo items, handicrafts, industry processing equipment and tree saplings, he said.
“The fair is to promote trade relations between the various provinces of Laos and businesses in neighbouring countries,” said Mr Berlin.
“This will enable wood processers and furniture makers to share their experiences with business people from other countries, discuss several new techniques of wood processing and how wood products can become value-added products,” he explained.
Participants will also take this opportunity to improve their understanding of the rules and policies of the government for the wood trading business.
“The exhibition will also have a best product contest and artistic and cultural performances from Laos and overseas,” Mr Berlin said.
“People who come to the event will able to buy a variety of furniture products and household items made by producers in Vientiane and in different provinces around the country, because for this event we have invited legal business units from every province,” he said.
At the Fair, people will also enjoy buying different kinds of food and drink, clothing and souvenir products.
Last year, there were two furniture businesses from Vietnam who displayed their products at the Fair and this year the organizers are trying to increase this.
“The furniture business is facing different challenges at the moment, especially with a shortage of skilled labour, marketing difficulties and the supply of raw materials,” said the Lao Furniture Association Vice President, Mr Kongmala Phommalay.
The association will continue to promote the furniture business as having a bright future in order to strengthen the business in Laos and ensure the companies involved in it are able to meet the needs of the domestic market and compete on the same terms with the rest of the region. “Giving out better information is the best way to encourage more people and business entrepreneurs to joint in the Fair, Lao-ITECC Director,” Mr Visun Nalongsack added.
The press conference was attended by government officials from relevant sectors, the industry and commerce sector officials in every district in Vientiane and local media.
vientiane times
