The Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council reports a positive result for the exhibition at Milan Design Week 2013, which took place last month, citing good numbers of media and visitors, high quality buyers, and a great location in Zona Tortona, the hub of the event – the Vetraio, at via Tortona 31.
The Malaysia Pride programme was created to strengthen the qualities of Malaysian furniture production, and communicate it to the world.
Madam Sarimah Mohamad Sabudin, recently appointed as CEO of the Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council, says: “I’m very satisfied for this result, a result confirming the relevant role achieved by the Malaysian furniture industry in the world.
"Over these days, we met many interesting international designers, all looking in a very positive way to our raw materials, and aiming to work together with our companies, to reach a new way of designing furniture, blending the style of the west and the east.
"Our challenge is to transform our manufacturers from OEMs to ODMs (Original Design Manufacturers) and OBMs (Original Brand Manufacturers), so we need to establish contacts and long-term relationships with international designers. On the other side, we’ve been visited by international buyers, interested in developing business with Malaysian manufacturers.
"Despite the big recession hitting some European countries, the Milan fair and the FuoriSalone continue to be the most important event in the world of the furniture field.
"It’s a worldwide stage, where you can be noticed by media and meet international buyers, coming from all over the world. We can count some important buyers from Mexico, Italy, the US and Turkey, as well as contact with the most relevant associations representing design in the world.
"We’re also very proud of the success obtained from the young designers exhibiting at SaloneSatellite, under the event TANGGAM, promoted by Malaysian Timber Industry Board.”
