China Hosts Fourth Annual International Furniture China Exhibit.

Furniture World Magazine

"Furniture China," the recent fourth annual international furniture exhibit in Shanghai, China attracted its largest number of foreign exhibitors to-date. Fifty percent of the 350 exhibiting firms were from 18 foreign countries. The U.S.. with 40 exhibitors (up from only 3 or 4 exhibitors in '97, and showing for the second time) was the second largest foreign pavilion. (Italy. showing for the fourth year. with 80 firms in a 3,000 sq. meter pavilion. was the largest.) "Several of the U.S. exhibitors have already requested larger spaces for the 1999 event, and new companies are reserving space for '99," according to Frederic de Bernard. head of Globexpo, the exhibit's U.S. representative. "At the close of the exhibit, show management announced that it is adding at least one, and perhaps two new venues in 1999." Recent innovations by the Chinese government and show management made access to China's vast marketplace more promising and participation in the '98 exhibit easier than in the past. First, while other Pacific Rim countries are facing economic crises. the Beijing government stated publicly that it will not devalue China's currency to boost exports, and it pledged that the domestic economy would grow by 8 percent this year. In response. UN economist Li Yuefen, in the September 17 issues of China Daily, praised the China policy, calling it "...a wise choice to expand investment in basic industries and infrastructure to buoy up domestic demand and feed economic growth." Mr. Jia Qingwen, Chairman of China National Furniture Association (CNFA), told exhibitors at opening ceremonies that with the further deepening of China's opening and reform policy, and the enhancement of economic globalization, the furniture industry in China is facing challenges and developing opportunity. Following years of high-speed development. China's domestic furniture market is entering into an adjusting process. He said, "the aim of this exhibition is to better serve the promotion of import and export trade." Mr. Quingwen sees opportunities for foreign exhibitors to sell high-end furniture in China. It will not Compete with the low-end furniture made domestically, he noted. In a special seminar on manufacturing and distribution worldwide, O. William Fenn. the representative of the State of North Carolina. said. "In the U.S.. both imports and exports of furniture continue to grow at double the rate of U.S. furniture consumption. This situation bodes well for a close Chinese- US business relationship." Prior to this year's show, the Chinese government had addressed a second serious impediment by reducing China's high tariff from 50% to 22% average. Exhibition management circumvented pesky Customs problems by establishing official agents to receive and expedite exhibition goods. "Those American companies which took advantage of this arrangement, found the process efficient." says Mr. de Bernard. U.S. vendors included Acylicore, American Leather. Bassett, BenchCraft, Berkline, Best Chair, Bushline, California Furniture Exports, Elite Mfgs.. Exim, Fairchild of California, Getz Furnishings International, Henredon, LADD. O'Sullivan, Pentaura, PeopLoungers, Powell, Rowe, Sander, Silver, Stanley, Trend Wood, Unimills and Woodard "Furniture China, " is China's most national and international furniture exhibit. The China National Furniture Association (CNFA) and SinoExpo, a Miller Freeman enterprise under the direction of Wang Mingliang, general manager, promote the show throughout China. Approximately 50,000 Chinese retailers were targeted through advertising to trade publications and newspapers across China. including Chino Furniture a new Shanghai-based trade magazine and the official voice of the exhibit. Twenty-seven provincial furniture associations supported group visitations. Approximately 40,000 qualified buyers from 29 provinces attended what American exhibitors described as a successful show-successful enough to warrant that some double or triple space for the Fifth Annual International "Furniture China" Exhibit, October 14-17, 1999, in Shanghai. For additional information. contact Globexpo International Shows, info@globexpo.com - www.globexpo.com