International Furniture Fair in Mumbai

Leveraging on the growing demand for quality furniture, the inaugural edition of the India International Furniture Fair (IIFF) will take place in Mumbai at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 16 to 18, 2011.
 
Organised by MP International Pte Ltd (MPI) in partnership with the International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS) Pte Ltd, the show will have about 80 participating companies and brands from leading furniture names from around the world. The trade show expected to gross 5,000 square metres will feature special country pavilions including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China and Spain. Over 70 per cent of the exhibitors will be from overseas.
 
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Ms Sylvia Phua, Chief Executive Officer of MP International explained: “As an established tradeshow organiser and owner of the Singapore International Furniture Show which has been held since 1981, we believe we can value-add to the Indian furniture market by providing a credible buyer-seller meeting place for industry members to source innovative, new-to-market product offerings and keep abreast of major global design and industry trends.”
 
Ms Phua added: In addition to the dynamic and enormous market, there is a lack of a reputable international platform in India for leading furniture brands from around the world to launch their product lines.”
 
As one of the fast-developing emerging countries in the world, India's furniture market is currently worth US$8 billion and is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 30 per cent according to a KPMG report. In the same analysis, the branded furniture market comprising of residential and commercial furniture, was valued at US$1.3 billion in 2008 and it is expected to reach US$3.7 billion in 2012. The Centre for Industrial Studies Milano forecasts India’s real consumption of furniture to grow at 6 per cent in 2011.
 
The biggest group of exhibitors will be from Singapore. Occupying over 500 square metres, the Singapore pavilion will be fronted by Singapore Mozaic, a group of the country’s best furniture companies. The group is led by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC).
 
James Goh, president of SFIC said, “Through IIFF we look forward to be a part of the growing Indian furniture industry. We believe that India and Singapore can be key commercial partners. Trade buyers and end-consumers can look forward to Singapore’s trademark reliability and consistency in quality and service from the companies under the Singapore Mozaic umbrella.”
 
 
Singapore furniture makers taking part in the pavilion include: Koda, Lifeshop, Lorenzo and Star Furniture. Among other participants at the first IIFF are Interwood Ltd (Vietnam); G Pacific Enterprises Ltd (Malaysia); Ho Bridge Co., Ltd (Taiwan); Deluxsh Co., Ltd (China); AQSA Living (Indonesia); and Maharani Kreasi Abadi, CV (Indonesia), a well as leading Indian players, such as Rajasthan Crafts and Sharda India.
 
In line with global concerns on sustainability and environment protection, the organisers are encouraging the industry to think ‘green’. They have launched an initiative to encourage exhibitors to display eco-friendly products with special labels. Visitors will be
able to spot these ‘green’ exhibits as the items will be tagged with distinctive green ribbons.
 
 
 Key associations that have pledged their support to IIFF include Association of Furniture Manufacturers and Traders (AFMT), Council of Architecture (COA), Builders’ Association of India, Institute of Indian Interior Designers, Association of Furniture Manufacturers India, Dongguan Famous Furniture Association and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
 
Mr Vijay Sohoni, President of Council of Archtiecture said, “With the current real estate boom in India, there is a high demand for creative and quality architects. Our architects travel extensively to trade shows overseas to gain wider exposure and insights. With the launch of IIFF in India, the local architects and designers can look forward to an excellent opportunity for expanding their business network as well as source for quality furniture and furnishings on an international platform.”
 
Echoing a similar sentiment, Mr Shirish Dalal, Chairman of AFMT mentioned, “The furniture industry is currently booming in India. However, until now, we did not have an appropriate business-to-business platform of international standards to market and showcase high-end products. We welcome this format of the show, which will present opportunities for local industry players to network with international brand names and take the Indian furniture industry to the next level.”
 
The show is expected to draw over 3,000 trade visitors from India and the rest of South Asia. Attractive show highlights during IIFF would include a seminar on business sustainability and best practices, industry challenges and design trends. There will also be workshops and presentations by exhibitors to address the needs of different business and professional groups. Architects will also be able to attend a roundtable discussion for them to examine current issues and future trends.
 
In addition, international exhibitors will have a post-show morning business symposium followed by a half-day industry tour to major retailers’ showrooms and up-and-coming construction projects in Mumbai to gain first-hand insights on India’s fast-developing furniture market.