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Singapore, 9 March 2009 –
The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2009/26th
ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2009) opened with aplomb
today despite the current economic uncertainty. Widely
regarded as one of Asia’s premier, design-led
furniture trade shows, IFFS/AFS 2009 continued to
earn the confidence of global furniture players, drawing
471 exhibitors representing 33 countries. Besides
the return of stalwart supporters, close to 30 per
cent of total exhibitors are first-time participants
hailing from 26 countries, including Australia, Belgium,
France, the United Kingdom and countries from all
over Asia.
Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and
Industry, Mr Lee Yi Shyan, officiated at the opening
ceremony of the highly anticipated four-day exhibition
that is taking place from 9 to 12 March 2009.
Spanning a gross area of 60,000 square metres from
Halls 3 to 8 at the Singapore Expo, IFFS/AFS 2009
brings together a vibrant and dynamic collection of
more than 60,000 pieces of the finest furniture and
furnishing products from Asia and around the world.
A must-see destination and key stop on the Asian furniture
trade show circuit, IFFS/AFS 2009 also gathers the
largest quality collection from China, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam exhibitors, outside
of trade shows in these respective countries. The
wide assortment of products, gamut of styles and the
excellent mix of exhibitors and visitors make IFFS/AFS
2009 Asia’s one-stop sourcing haven and an effective
trade conduit for global furniture players.
To offer visitors and buyers even greater selection
and value during these challenging times, the organisers
have specially created a new IFFS ‘Best Buy’
area. Located in Hall 8, 28 exhibitors are showcasing
quality furniture pieces at attractive prices that
are exclusive to IFFS/AFS 2009.
Mr Tony Pang, Chairman of the IFFS/AFS 2009 Show Advisory
Panel said: “With the global slowdown and tighter
budgets, furniture players need to select the right
fair to achieve maximum exposure and results. We are
privileged that the international furniture community
has continued to support IFFS/AFS 2009 as their choice
partner and platform to establish their presence in
the international furniture arena. This vote of confidence
will motivate us to up the effectiveness of the fair
as an unparalleled marketing and business platform.
We will certainly work to value-add and enhance the
IFFS/AFS experience for all exhibitors and buyers.”
Design takes prominence at IFFS/AFS 2009 and the
limelight on design is shining brighter than ever.
In line with the fair’s design emphasis, a new
industry initiative by the Singapore Furniture Industries
Council (SFIC) and supported by SPRING Singapore was
announced at the IFFS/AFS 2009 opening ceremony. Called
the Design DNA (Develop, Nurture and Accelerate) Programme,
it aims at boosting overall design standards and capabilities
in Singapore.
Said Mr Andrew Ng, Chairman of IFFS Pte Ltd and President
of SFIC: “The global reach of furniture trade
fairs make them excellent opportunities to highlight
the advantages of enterprises, designers and in turn,
local industries. I’m proud to note that leading
furniture manufacturers, including ambassadors of
our local furniture industry brand, Singapore Mozaic,
are making full use of the exposure offered by IFFS/AFS
to launch new product collections and creative designs.
The participation of design-led exhibitors differentiates
us from other fairs by adding greater quality, depth
and variety.”
“IFFS/AFS has long proven to be a successful
springboard for local players to enter the global
arena. Now, we move yet another step further. Through
the strong presence of 24 of our Singapore Mozaic
ambassadors and other homegrown design-led companies
and talents at IFFS/AFS 2009, Singapore furniture’s
finest are fully showcased to the world. The design
capabilities and potential in our local industry are
profiled, reaffirming Singapore’s standing as
a global design and furniture hub,” added Mr
Ng.
One example of an exciting product launch at IFFS/AFS
2009 is by Singapore Mozaic ambassador Office Planner
Pte Ltd. The company has collaborated with international
celebrity designer, Mr Karim Rashid, for a new furniture
collection, PINKER.
“I am truly excited and happy to premiere my
new brand PINKER at the IFFS/AFS 2009. I have been
to this part of the world more than a few times recently
and am thrilled by the vibrancy and energy of the
place. Here, one can really feel Happier, Sexier and
Funkier! Today, Singapore is more than ready to embrace
innovation and new design ideas. That is why I have
chosen IFFS/AFS 2009 with its strong design-led focus
and international reach as the right platform to start
repainting the world PINKER,” said Mr Rashid.
He is also the keynote speaker at the Furniture Design
Forum 2009, held in conjunction with IFFS/AFS 2009
on 11 March.
Further presenting Asia’s creative capabilities
to visitors worldwide at IFFS/AFS 2009 are top entries
of the prestigious Furniture Design Award (FDA) 2009
and 5th FL!P Challenge.
To promote design entrepreneurship, PLATFORM returns
with a remarkable showcase of creative furniture prototypes
by over 30 young designers from 11 design houses and
institutions, creating opportunities for international
manufacturers to partner talented regional design
entrepreneurs and uncover marketable designs.
This year, a panel of design experts have also selected
outstanding pieces from past and present PLATFORM
and FDA participants for a brand new PLATFORM area
that celebrates trend-setting works by Asian talents.
Young local designers who participated in a SFIC-led
workshop with international design laboratory, Magis,
in Italy last year are also presenting scaled models
of their creations at PLATFORM.
Adding to the slew of offerings at IFFS/AFS 2009
are eight tenants from the International Furniture
Centre, Singapore’s year-round furniture export
centre. These reputed companies are collectively displaying
some of their signature products as part of a combined
effort to attract potential business collaborations
beyond the fair.
To reach out to even more top tier buyers, the organisers
partnered government agency, IE Singapore and tapped
on their extensive overseas contacts and resources.
As a result of the concerted outreach activities,
many international buyers will have personalised match-making
sessions with quality exhibitors at the fair.
For more information on IFFS/AFS 2009 and other
initiatives, please refer to the attached fact sheets
or 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 Presidential
Advisor, 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 enquiries, please contact:
Juliana Teo (Account Director)
/ Sylvia Lim (Consultant) / Alanna Yeo (Senior Associate)
Foreword Communications Pte Ltd
Tel: +65 6338 5918
Email: juliana@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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