Malaysian Furniture and Furnishing Fair (MF3) 2013, held in Kuala Lumpur July 19-21, expected to attract 80,000 visitors, generate revenue of 60M Malaysian ringgit, up 15.4% from last year's show

Audrey Dixon

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia , July 22, 2013 (Business Times (Malaysia)) – The Malaysian Furniture and Furnishing Fair (MF3) 2013 aims to attract 80,000 visitors and generate a turnover of RM60 million from last year's RM52 million.

The sixth edition of the MF3 is being organised by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Furniture Entrepreneur Association (KLSFEA).

Datuk Edmond Chew Kar Chong, who is KLSFEA president, said MF3 has spent over RM1.5 million in branding, advertising and promotion to raise public awareness of the event.

"I would like to express my appreciation to all exhibitors for their support ini expanding this fair further to 10,000 sq m.

"We have also produced the MF3 trailer and uploaded it in the social media like YouTube and Facebook, attracting over 48,000 'likes'," he said after Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas officiated at the fair last Friday.

Also present were Malaysian Furniture Industry Council president Sunny Ter and Malaysia Furniture Promotion Council trustee member Richard Lee Kean See. Themed "Export Quality, Factory Price", MF3 showcased furniture of export quality which were sold at affordable prices.

KLFSEA will continue to tap local consumer demand by organising another fair entitled Viva Home Kuala Lumpur Fair between October 4 and 6. The association forecast sales to expand by 30 per cent from last year's RM40 million.

On the export market, the minister noted that last year, Malaysia shipped out some RM8 billion worth of furniture and furnishings.

"This is indeed a commendable achievement, factoring in the economic slowdown in major importing countries which began since the second half of 2012," Embas said.

"I am optimistic with the global economic recovery, the timber industry, in particular furniture exports, will strengthen in the future," he added.

Embas noted local furniture makers must rejuvenate themselves and move on to meet medium- and high-end sector demands.

"Malaysian manufacturers already have the reputation of being good craftsmen and trusted suppliers. As such, it is necessary that we mobilise the resources to transform the Malaysian brands into world-famous names to retain market share," he added.

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