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SINGAPORE, 4 April 2008
– The International Furniture Fair Singapore
2008 and 25th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2008)
recorded an impressive attendance of 18,361 trade
visitors from 129 countries. Spread over 70,000 square
metres of gross space at the Singapore Expo, the fair
showcased the best of Asian and international furniture
to great success, achieving an estimated USD 271 million
of spot orders. The excellent results reaffirmed the
effectiveness of the IFFS/AFS as a business gateway
to the Asian and international market for global trade
players.
A total of 118 foreign buying
delegations visited the four-day fair which took place
from 9 to 12 March. As a result of the business partnerships
and opportunities forged at the fair, an additional
estimated USD 2.45 billion is expected in follow-on
sales. IFFS/AFS 2008 also generated an estimated USD
45 million in economic spin-offs for Singapore’s
Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions
(MICE) and tourism sectors.
A truly record-breaking event,
IFFS/AFS 2008 has already established itself as the
largest in its 25-year history. This year, the fair
played host to a record number of 517 exhibitors from
33 countries, with the largest booths occupying 900
square metres each. In terms of exhibition space,
IFFS/AFS 2008 was larger than the 2007 fair by 12
per cent, with 44,000 square metres of nett space.
In line with the push towards
design development in the Singapore furniture industry,
IFFS/AFS 2008 also saw the return of PLATFORM, Furniture
Design Award and the FL!P Challenge. Ninety-five local
and Asian talents from 38 different design houses
and institutions displayed creative new furniture
prototypes to the international trade fraternity,
adding to the dynamism of the fair.
With over 60,000 pieces of furniture
and furnishings on display at the fair, buyers were
spoilt for choice. The myriad of high-quality furniture
and furnishings available further strengthened IFFS/AFS’
reputation as a one-stop Asia-wide sourcing platform.
Mr Sundeep Bagga, a VIP buyer
from SUNPAN, Canada/USA commented, “This is
the eighth time we’re at IFFS/AFS, and it never
disappoints! I make it a point to mark IFFS/AFS in
my calendar – it really is a big event for the
furniture industry!“
Another satisfied attendee, Mr
Jonathan Wogan, a VIP buyer from Furniture Link International,
Ireland remarked, “The last time I was here,
I came away with great buys! IFFS/AFS always delivers
beyond expectations and that’s why its good
reputation in the furniture trade show scene is successfully
growing every year. Whatever I’m looking for,
I’m confident that I’ll always be able
to find it at IFFS/AFS.”
Exhibitors were also pleased with
the results of IFFS/AFS 2008.
“This IFFS/AFS was a very
successful edition for us. It was a great opportunity
for Kenas to showcase some of our latest collections.
With the additional exhibition halls and the great
showing of international buyers, we are looking forward
to next year’s event!” complimented Mr
Jack Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Kenas Pacific
Pte Ltd, an exhibitor from Hong Kong.
Mark Symes, Managing Director
of International Furniture Direct from the United
Kingdom, remarked, “We had a great experience
at IFFS/AFS 2008, meeting with existing and new customers
from as far away as Spain and Lithuania. The good
organisation, excellent exhibition venue and facilities
made for a trouble-free and rewarding show.”
Mr Tony Pang, Chairman of the
IFFS/AFS 2008 Show Advisory Panel, said: “The
stellar figures achieved have once again proven that
the IFFS/AFS is recognised as the best furniture trade
show in Asia for quality furniture in trend-setting
designs. The bar has been set for an even better show
next year, and with our continuous bid to excel, I’m
certain that IFFS/AFS 2009 will surpass even these
high standards.”
For more updates on IFFS/AFS 2009,
please visit www.iffs.com.sg
About International Furniture
Fair Singapore Pte Ltd (IFFS Pte Ltd)
International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd (IFFS
Pte Ltd) is partly owned by the Singapore Furniture
Industries Council (SFIC) and MP International Pte
Ltd. IFFS Pte Ltd’s primary objectives are to
organise and manage furniture and furniture-related
fairs, exhibitions, shows, conferences and other events
worldwide. This includes the annual International
Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS),
a keynote event on the furniture trade exhibition
calendar that is widely regarded as the “Best
in Asia” by the industry. The company has a
six-member Board of Directors, comprising the Chairman,
Mr Andrew Ng who is also President of SFIC, Mr Jerry
Tan and Mr Kenny Koh, SFIC Vice Presidents, SFIC Executive
Committee Member, Mr James Koh, Chairman of MP International
Pte Ltd, Mr James Chia and Ms Sylvia Phua, CEO of
MP International Pte Ltd.
About International Furniture
Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS)
The International Furniture Fair Singapore, held in
conjunction with the ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS)
began in 1981 and has since grown to be regarded by
industry experts as Asia's most prestigious furniture
trade show. IFFS/AFS provides an effective marketing
platform for regional companies to venture into global
markets. As a testimony to the quality of the show,
IFFS/AFS is the first Asian-based international furniture
fair to be accepted as a member of the elite Union
des Foires Internationales, a Paris-based international
authority on trade fairs. In addition, it is the only
furniture trade event in Singapore to be awarded the
'Approved International Fair' status by the Singapore
Tourism Board. The Singapore Exhibition and Convention
Bureau also recognises the fair as a major event on
Singapore's international exhibition calendar.
Issued by : Foreword
Communications Pte Ltd
On behalf of :
International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd
For media enquires, please contact:
Jasmine Sim (Senior Consultant)
/ Sylvia Lim (Consultant) / Alanna Yeo (Associate)
Foreword Communications Pte Ltd
Tel: +65 6338 5918
Email: jasmine@foreword.com.sg
/ sylvia@foreword.com.sg
/ alanna@foreword.com.sg
Shermaine Ong (Executive
Director) / Juliana Gan (Marketing Communications
Manager) International Furniture Fair Singapore
Pte Ltd
Tel: +65 6569 6988
Email: shermaine@singaporefurniture.com
/ juliana@iffs.com.sg
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