(Editor: Leona)

A delegation from China is visiting the Tupelo Furniture Market on Feb. 4-6 to learn more about furniture products made in the United States.

Bill Martin, director of the Franklin Furniture Institute at Mississippi State University, says in a news release that China's demand for American-made upholstered furniture has increased and consumers are asking Chinese retailers for more.

Martin says the Mississippi Development Authority's International Trade Office, Tupelo Furniture Market and China National Furniture Association arranged the logistics of the visit.

He says the market will provide Mississippi furniture and lumber manufacturers the chance to show their products and expand their export markets to China.

Martin says the institute is organizing information sessions and meetings for the delegation to interact with Mississippi manufacturers.

In 2006, a delegation from Mississippi, including officials from the Tupelo Furniture Market and the Community Development Association visited the Furniture China show in Shanghai and met representatives of several Chinese furniture associations. So, this is a reciprocal visit of sorts.

As China’s demand for American-made upholstered furniture has increased, consumers are asking Chinese retailers for American products. The Chinese delegation will be at the Feb. 4-6 event to learn more about furniture products made in the United States.