Expo 2004 of Wooden Furniture and Handicrafts to Open

Expo 2004 of Wooden Furniture and Handicrafts to Open

The International Fair 2004 of wooden furniture and handicrafts will take place from September 29 to October 30, 2004 at the International Exhibition Centre, Ho Chi Minh City with the participation of 210 enterprises. Ms. Pham Thi Kim Hong, Director of the Trade Department, said that preparations and promotions have been taking place since late 2003, attracting a large number of foreign attendees, especially from the US, EU, and Japan.

Indoor and outdoor wooden furniture and designs will be on display in 80 per cent of pavilions, with the remaining pavilions displaying fine art articles, porcelain, bamboo and rattan products. Besides Ho Chi Minh City enterprises, the number of enterprises hailing from Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Binh Dinh has increased significantly compared to previous years. The expo will be improved to facilitate long-term partnerships. In addition, three seminars will be held to highlight the value of Vietnamese wooden furniture to the American, EU and Japanese markets.

The Wooden Fine Arts Association of Ho Chi Minh City will be awarding Golden Apricot Flower prizes to outstanding designers at the expo.

On September 29, 2004, the Ho Chi Minh People’s Committee will host a meeting with participants at the New World Hotel. It is reported that the Ministry of Trade will sponsor the fair and a major trade promotion programme will be launched in 2005.

• S.P