As a result of good co-operation between Peter Zapris, publisher of Furnishing International (the Australian member of the IAFP) and Patrizia Torelli, CEO of the Australian Furniture Association (AFA), during the Furnitex Connect event two other IAFP members were invited to take part in a panel discussing ways of approaching established markets with new offers.

The conference focused on Australian and international research and practices that have informed, and will continue to inform, industry standards, best practice and the growth of small- to me­dium­-sized businesses.

Representing China and Romania, Wang Mingliang and Imre Zilahi gave the Australian audience an insight into the international furniture market, priorities to be taken into consideration while planning export-import trade activities, and trend analyses of how the design and functionality of furniture can have major importance in different markets around the world.

The many connecting points between China and Australia were highlighted by Wang Mingliang, founder of Shanghai’s Furniture China trade fair. The panel demonstrated that in recent years Chinese companies have invested in original design, and now exports to Australia are focused mainly on middle- and high-end ranges.

The next AFA event, named Furnitex & design, is scheduled for 8-10th July 2016 in Brisbane.

(Source: iafpalliance.com,  Author: Eva Zillmann)