Malaysia is fast-tracking its aim to increase its share of the world’s furniture market by 25% this year.

Primary industries minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik believes an export target of M$7bn is achievable because of the ‘enormous global sales opportunities yet untapped’.

The eighth annual Malaysia International Furniture Fair, due to take place in Kuala Lumpur on March 5-9, is expected to attract 6,000 visitors from 115 countries.

Dr Lim says new emerging markets continue to be established from countries in western Europe and west Asia but stressed that export efforts to traditional markets for Malaysian furniture, such as the US, Japan and Singapore, must be stepped up.

  • Twelve of Malaysia’s leading furniture manufacturers are exhibiting a range of their latest furniture at the International Furniture Trade Fair in Cologne until January 20. The industry’s exports have risen 75% since 1997, standing at US$1.17bn in 2000.