High-end furniture exporters eye China

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is looking at exporting more high-end furniture and furnishings to China as local manufacturers met with a furniture association from Dongguan China, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported yesterday.

The Dongguan Famous Furniture Association (DFFA) visited Philippine furniture and furnishings associations, particularly the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP), the Philippine Chamber of Handicraft Industries (PCHI), and the Philippine Chamber of Handicraft Industries, the Philippine Exporters, Retailers, Producers Development Association (PERPDA) to pursue long lasting business relationship.   

Charley Wang, director for International Relations said that members of the delegation are looking for products that would cater for high-end consumers and produced in limited quantities, for which the Philippines is well known.

The DFFA emphasized advantage of having a strong, long-term relationship with local associations. The Philippine association could provide specific information of its members that fit the requirements of DFFA members. Through this process, hit-or-miss in choosing a long-term business partner is avoided.

Likewise, the DFFA and the Philippine associations can undertake joint projects or activities, such as exchange of information and business delegations.

The DFFA delegation also called on DTI officials and made an appraisal of the status and prospects of furniture and furnishings industry in China. Wang made a presentation on the furniture market in China that included the trends and important data of Guangdong Province, International Furniture Fair in Dongguan. 

Director Senen Perlada of DTI’s the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion said “DFFA’s visit is very timely as China continues to become a very important market for Philippine goods especially considering the current economic slowdown of the top markets of the Philippines.”

“China, accounting for 11.15 percent of total exports, was the third top export market of the Philippines in 2008,” he added.