Shengfang, China
As the globalization process deepens, Asian countries have demonstrated outstanding complementary advantages. Through close cooperation and technology sharing in furniture raw material supply, production and manufacturing division of labor, and product design concepts, they have promoted efficient resource utilization and innovative development, and made important contributions to the prosperity of the global furniture industry. In order to further promote the integration of production and sales and trade cooperation, and promote the integrated development of the Asian furniture industry, the 26th Conference of the Council of Asia Furniture Associations (CAFA) was successfully held in Shengfang, Hebei on April 7.
The meeting was attended by the following:
Xu Xiangnan, President of CAFA and Chairman of China National Furniture Association; Tu Qi, Vice President and Secretary General of CAFA and Vice President and Secretary General of China National Furniture Association; Wang Hongle, President of Shengfang Furniture Association and Chairman of Shengfang International Furniture Expo Center; Jirawat Tangkijngamwong, Vice President of CAFA and Chairman of Thailand Furniture Association; Casey Loo, advisor of CAFA and president of APS Media Group; Kyaw Kyaw Win, Chairman of Myanmar Furniture Industry Association; Michael Tan, First Vice President of Singapore Furniture Association; Maitri Widya Mutiara, Vice President of Indonesian Furniture Industry and Handicraft Association; Asif Jabbar Khan, Vice Chairman of Pakistan Furniture Exporters Association; Duong Thi Minh Tue, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh Handicraft and Wood Industry Association; Ali Ansar Ghumman, Executive Chairman of Pakistan Furniture Manufacturers Association; Marthunus Fahrizal, Head of International Organization Relations of Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industry Association; Allen Kwong, Chairman of Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Manufacturers Association; May Leung, Honorary Chairman of Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Manufacturers Association; Lin Xiaoming, Vice Chairman of the Asian Furniture Forum of Japan, Sunil Kumar Dhami, International Relations Advisor of the Indian External Trade Promotion Council, Veronika Rebekka Anggraini, Vice Chairman of the Finance Department of the Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industry Association, Shital Dhiren Thacker, Advisor of the Indian External Trade Promotion Council, Tran Thi Ngoc Hieu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Handicraft and Wood Industry Association, Lim Bin Xiang, Director of Foreign Affairs of the Singapore Furniture Association, Joy Lim, Assistant Manager of the Korean Furniture Industry Association, Lui Siu Hung, Executive Chairman of the Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Manufacturers Association, Ivy Shum, Executive Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Manufacturers Association, Rochanawati Talib, Chairman of Rosada Dh Bali Interio, Indonesia, Rana Muhammad Bilal, CEO of AB Pakistan International, Daniel Wong, General Manager of IFCO Limited, Hong Kong, Gary Fung, Commercial Director of Ulferts International, Hong Kong, Zhang Meng, Secretary of the Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Manufacturers Association, Kwong Pui Yue, Secretary of the Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Manufacturers Association, Aung Pyae Phyo, Business Development Manager of Advanced Decorative Materials Trading Co., Ltd., Aung Pyae Phyo, Business Development Manager of Advanced Decorative Materials Trading Co., Ltd., Li Yingxian, Head of Export Department of Foshan Zhihao Furniture Co., Ltd., Dai Zhipeng, Deputy Director of Economic (International) Cooperation Department of China Furniture Association, and Wang Tianyu, Deputy Director of Office.
In his speech, Xu Xiangnan, President of CAFA and Chairman of the China National Furniture Association, pointed out that in recent years, the global macro environment has been uncertain and the downward pressure on the economy has increased. However, the global furniture industry has shown good development resilience in the past year, with exports growing by 2.09% year-on-year, showing strong consumer demand for furniture. At present, Asian furniture is transforming from low-end to mid-to-high-end, and the industrial structure is gradually adjusting. The Asian Furniture Federation will explore new ideas to help the industry transform and upgrade and release greater potential.
First, to promote industrial integration, CAFA will attract more national associations to join, and use websites and various media channels to strengthen publicity and enhance international influence. At the same time, Asian countries can use the professional exhibitions and procurement festivals held by clusters to carry out a wealth of business matching activities and actively develop furniture trade in Asia.
Second, to accelerate the green transformation of the industry, CAFA will implement the “Bamboo instead of Plastic” initiative, promote high-quality environmentally friendly materials, and contribute to creating a livable environment and building a beautiful home on Earth.
Third, we need to cultivate new development momentum, create high-quality brands and enhance consumers’ recognition of Asian furniture products. CAFA will recognize the achievements of Asian furniture companies in technological innovation, quality improvement, green health, etc. by evaluating Asia-Pacific furniture design masters, Asia-Pacific furniture craftsmen, and Asia-Pacific furniture excellence companies. In addition, the Asia-Pacific Federation will carry out design competitions, carving craftsman friendly matches and other activities for more designers and craftsmen to achieve cultural exchanges and innovative development. Through various work, CAFA will give full play to its resource advantages and build a rich platform. It is hoped that all countries will unite as one, be brave in innovation, and keep moving forward to lead the Asian furniture industry to achieve greater progress.
Linda Tu, Vice President and Secretary General of attended the meeting and Vice President and Secretary General of the China National Furniture Association, presided over the meeting and made a report from the Secretariat. The meeting reviewed and approved matters related to membership fee management, member development, and member management. The Japan Asian Furniture Forum and the Federation of Turkish Furniture Associations officially joined CAFA.
Wang Hongle, President of Shengfang Furniture Association and Chairman of Shengfang International Furniture Expo Center, warmly welcomed the guests and introduced the exhibition and advantages of Shengfang International Furniture Expo. He said that this exhibition will further promote international trade cooperation, and representatives of various countries can jointly expand trade space with Shengfang furniture companies and promote the vigorous development of the Asian furniture industry.
Jirawat Tangkijngamwong, Vice President of CAFA and President of the Thai Furniture Association, congratulated the successful convening of this conference. He believed that the Asian Furniture Federation is an open and united platform, and has carried out a variety of activities under the active organization of the China Furniture Association. At present, traditional developed markets are adjusting their trade patterns, and Asian countries need to strengthen cooperation and create greater development space for the industry through websites, media, awards, competitions and other aspects.
Casey Loo, advisor of CAFA and president of APS Media Group, gave a detailed introduction to the work arrangements of the CAFA website and the Asia Pacific Furniture Awards, hoping to better serve members and the industry, comprehensively enhance the influence and reputation of CAFA, and promote the Asian furniture industry to move steadily towards sustainability.
