Lao wood furniture fair 2017 boosts value
Lao wood furniture fair 2017 boosts value
The Lao Furniture Association (LFA) is expecting the value of wood and furniture products at the 3rd Lao Wood Furniture Fair 2017 to increase as the market continues to rapidly expand.
The total value of products on display and for sale at the fair last year exceeded 10 billion kip. This year, the estimated total value should reach between 15-20 billion kip, Vice President of the LFA, Mr Kongmala Phommalay, said at the press conference in Vientiane on Friday.
This 3rd Lao Wood Furniture Fair will be held at the Lao-ITECC in Vientiane from 7-15th next month, in cooperation with the Trade and Product Promotion Department and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The purpose of the fair is manifold. Firstly, the association hopes to boost cooperation with the members through exchanging experiences related to hard skills, marketing strategies and challenges. The association also aims to promote forest preservation through more sustainable growing and harvesting techniques
Secondly, the association hopes to raise the value of Lao wood and furniture products by increasing quality and integrating modern technology to meet market demands and will hold seminars on such topics for wood producers at the fair.
Thirdly, the association also wishes to promote job opportunities for local people and help assist the country in the effort to escape poverty. The fair will provide a good opportunity for networking between different actors in the wood production sector as well as people searching for an entry point into the industry.
Participants can also enjoy many activities at the event such as wood carving demonstrations, lucky draws and an entertainment performance in the evening.
The products on display and up for sale include a range of wooden furniture, sculptures and handicrafts. Other items for sale related to the forestry sector are tree saplings, and products made from bamboo and rattan.
200 booths from more than 10 companies have already been reserved, while about 100 booths still remain free, Mr Kongmala said, inviting any interested companies to reserve booths as soon as possible.
This event would not be possible without cooperation from private and government organisations, especially members of the industry and commerce sector, including the association President, Mr Khamphay Somsana, stated Mr Kongmala.
After the government banned the export of various tree species and timber products, the convention presents a good opportunity for Lao wood and furniture entrepreneurs to reinvigorate the sector with legal products, he said.
So, wood entrepreneurs around the country should cooperate with the association to assure Lao wood and furniture products meet the high quality standards demanded by the market, Mr Kongmala concluded.
In previous years, the association organised different wood and furniture fairs in Vientiane, like the Vientiane Furniture Fair and Lao Home and Living Fair. The association has also brought products abroad to countries such as China, Singapore and Malaysia, who have a large demand for wood products and a large production base.
