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Monday, February 27, 2006
Furniture show opens; nearly 500 buyers arrive
By Aurelia l. Castro
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
WHILE the 17th Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition, also known as Cebu X 2006, opened yesterday “amidst political jitters” in Manila, a business leader assured participants that “business is as usual” in Cebu.
Cebu X chairman Eric Mendoza said, as of yesterday, there were 505 pre-registered buyers from 62 countries — an attendance double that of last year.
However, he admitted that there were around 10 pre-registered buyers that backed out due to the “panic and fear” spurred by the reported coup attempt last Friday followed by President Arroyo’s declaration of a state of national emergency.
“They arrived in Manila but decided to just go back to their respective countries because of what’s happening in the national capital,” he said.
Still high
But despite the withdrawal of some buyers, he said the number of pre-registered participants is still high.
There are 109 exhibitors from Cebu, Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bacolod, Iloilo and Davao at the four-day furniture event at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
“The Cebu X does not only serve as venue for small- and medium-scaled businesses to promote their products to the international market. It also showcases our people’s culture, craftsmanship, creativity and ingenuity,” Mendoza said.
Cebu companies comprise 20 percent, or over 300 furniture manufacturers and exporters, of the Philippine furniture industry, a statement said.
Markets
The United States is the top export market of Philippine furniture with a 68 percent share; Japan accounts for four percent; Spain, two percent; France, two percent; and Italy, two percent.
According to data from the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF), Cebu was projected to contribute 38 percent or $120 million of the country’s total furniture exports of $312 million last year.
It also made 41 percent or $120 million of the country’s total furniture exports of $294 million in 2004.
Mendoza said the country’s furniture industry players have to “outdo” themselves by introducing innovations that will make Cebu X stand apart from similar shows.
On the other hand, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland, one of the dignitaries who attended the opening of Cebu X, said this year’s show is “very impressive.”
“The number of participants keeps going up. That is the sign of the strength of the industry,” he said.
Competition is “very fierce” with China, Vietnam and other countries in the world, he noted.
“So you have all the more reason to have a focused event like this (Cebu X) that brings together the best of the Philippines and Cebu for the buyers to see,” he said.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 27, 2006 issue)
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