Japanese Companies Eye SEAFIE to Reach out to ASEAN Market

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Japanese furniture and furnishing companies have announced participation at the inaugural Southeast Asia Furniture & Interiors Import-Export Exhibition (SEAFIE) vis-a-vis opportunities surrounding the rapidly-growing and affluent ASEAN market.  This four-day business-to-business trade show is estimated to cover 45,000 sqm and showcase international mid- to high-end brands of home furniture, interior design products and soft furnishings.  SEAFIE takes place from 13-16 September at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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"We are looking at SEAFIE as a start to get into the ASEAN market. We are seeking to develop new products and expand exports not only to ASEAN but also to the whole of Asia," said Mr. Takahiro Nagano, President of Nagano Interior Industry Co Ltd which produces living room and dining furniture.

Mr. Yoshitaka Nyudo of Airos Japan Co Ltd, a country style pinewood furniture exporter said: "We want to expand markets outside Japan and given the Organiser's strong track record, we anticipate SEAFIE to be the bridge for meeting new business partners and set up a network of contacts in Southeast Asia.  We expect to build up business opportunities with interior decorators, housing developers and furniture manufacturers as well."

Industry publisher Mr. Abeno Ikuzo, CEO of Toyo Furniture Research Co Ltd said Japanese companies has to consider the dynamic ASEAN market and SEAFIE can be the start of more Japan-made furniture to enter the regional market.

He said the staging of SEAFIE in September is good timing for his country's buyers to place orders because Japanese families purchase furniture and furnishings in February and March. 

Ms. Karen Goi, General Manager, Furniture & Interiors of UBM Malaysia, said the presence of Japanese companies was a strong endorsement of SEAFIE and presents exciting buying opportunities of authentic Japanese furnishings for interior decorators, contractors and architects.

"What is unique about SEAFIE is that we presenting a larger variety of products from across Asia with a focus on mid-to high-end. Our initiative to feature specific Japanese manufacturers is demonstrative of just one interesting component to this fair. Given Japanese furniture designs are noted for their charming simplicity with clean lines and stylish looks, designers, architects and buyers will get a chance to see more rich aesthetics and styles from this region as well as across Asia in Malaysia this September," adds Goi.

SEAFIE is the ideal platform for manufacturers to gain a foothold in the ASEAN market which has 600 million people with an expanding middle class and growing purchasing power for branded and high quality lifestyle products.

SEAFIE complements the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), held in Kuala Lumpur in March every year, and other UBM industry shows, notably  Furniture China which is one of the largest furniture exhibitions in the world, Index Fairs in India and UK Interiors.

The show targeted to draw 300 international exhibitors and 20,000 buyers, is organised by the same professional team behind MIFF which has a proven track record of nearly 20 years.

For more information, please visit www.seafie.com

Notes to Editor:

About UBM Asia (www.ubmasia.com)

Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia operates in 19 market sectors with headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia, including UBM China in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Beijing. We have over 200 products including trade fairs, conferences, trade publications, B2B/B2C portals and virtual event services. As Asia's leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in China, India and Malaysia, we stage the leading events of their kind across Asia. Our 150 events, 24 publications and 16 vertical portals serve a 1,000,000 plus quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world with high value face-to-face business-matching events, quality and instant news on market and industry trends and round-the-clock online trading networks and sourcing platforms. We have 1,100 staff in 21 major cities across Asia, stretching from Japan to Turkey.