Jordanian Delegation To Visit HIgh Point Market

Furniture World Magazine

The High Point Market Authority announced that more than 70 international buying organizations – headlined by a delegation from Jordan – representing 41 countries and some 300 buyers who have never before visited the High Point Market are set to explore the world’s home for home furnishings next week. Among the newcomers will be a special delegation from the country of Jordan, with 20 delegates representing 14 companies. Although Spring Market 2009 is actually the next designated IBP event, the Jordanian delegation is a direct result of the High Point Market’s International Buyer Program (IBP) designation, and ongoing global marketing assistance by the U.S. Department of Commerce. According to Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, the International Buyer Program is designed to connect U.S. companies with foreign customers and to raise awareness of a designated event around the world. “It further demonstrates the global reach of High Point because we are the only Market able to offer the product introductions in every category at every price point and the only Market which offers services catering to the specific needs of foreign market participants,” Casey says. “Once again a major international buying delegation is bound for High Point, along with hundreds of other first-time and regular international visitors who have chosen High Point as their market.” He continues, “We are particularly excited about Jordan’s participation this Market. While the domestic housing market continues to be depressed, real estate investments in Jordan are expected to reach $50 billion in the next few years, in a market that has seen just $2 billion in investment over the last 20 years. This investment has created a boom in construction that will continue to create a need for furniture for the ongoing large scale, residential, tourist, and commercial developments. “Additionally, there have been announced project investments of more than $10 billion including the flourishing tourism of two hot spots in Jordan: Aqaba and Dead Sea. The boom in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone has also contributed to consistent development of the port area, and the capital, Amman, accounts for the majority of the ongoing construction projects. Once completed, such projects will result in significant demand for all types of furnishings and we know that exhibitors here will welcome these opportunities. “In general terms,” Casey says, “the Jordanian market is very positive toward United States imports. In 2006, Jordan’s total furniture imports were nearly $97 million, with total imports at nearly half that number. The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will also eventually eliminate duties and barriers to bilateral trade in goods and services originating in the United States and Jordan. Simply put, the timing of this delegation’s arrival couldn’t be more auspicious, and only the High Point Market offers the vast selection of high-end products suitable for the Jordanian market’s needs.” About the U.S. Commercial Service: With its network of offices across the U.S. and in more than 80 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. In 2007, the U.S. Commercial Service helped generate nearly 12,000 export successes worth billions of dollars in U.S. export sales. For more information, visit www.export.gov. About the High Point Market Authority: The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina. Featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors spanning every category, style and price point and attracting tens of thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries twice each year, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry. For additional information, visit www.highpointmarket.org