Earlier this month, the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) and International Enterprise (IE) Singapore led a 7-member contingent to China. The delegation, comprising Singapore Mozaic brand ambassadors such as Getz Bros & Co, Harvest Link International, Sitra Holdings and Star Furniture, were there to visit major cities such as Beijing and Tianjin, which form part of the third largest furniture production and export regions in China.

Decking by Sitra

During the visit, SFIC and its China counterpart, the China National Furniture Association (CNFA), also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a move that inks both countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral trade relations, and to encouraging knowledge-sharing and the creation of partnership opportunities between furniture industry players from the 2 countries.

Activities will include study missions, business matching, training seminars, as well as the establishment of a China-Singapore Designer Exchange Programme.

Getz

“The metropolitan Beijing-Tianjin area contributes a significant proportion of China’s furniture production and exports… Leveraging through each other’s strengths and networks, the Singapore-China MOU will help furniture players from both countries identify and employ the best business practices. Ultimately, such exchanges will enhance the economic and design prowess in the growing furniture industry,” says SFIC’s President, Mr James Goh.

Harvest Link International

Ms Lee Puay Min, Divisional Director (Retail Division), Lifestyle Business Group, IE Singapore gave these facts and figures: “Furniture consumption in China is already high, hitting US$80 billion in 2009. This figure is expected to grow by 8% each in 2011 and 2012, spelling potential for Singapore furniture companies to enter this market with their quality products.”

To date, SFIC and IE Singapore have led similar missions to countries such as India, Russia, Eastern Europe and Brazil.

SFIC
singaporefurniture.com