Egyptian firms recently participated in the International Furniture and Furnishing Trade Fair (FURNEX 2015) have signed export contracts worth US$35 million, according to the initial indicators. Ihab Derias - Chairman of the Egyptian Furniture Export Council (EFEC) - affirmed on Wednesday that the council is currently preparing a report on FURNEX's 9th round in addition to the major obstacles facing that face the furniture sector. The report will be later presented to the Egyptian Minister of Trade Mounir Fakhry Abd El Nour. Derias also referred to the Egyptian furniture sector's success in alluring large furniture buyers and commercial chains that cover most of Gulf markets as well as Africa, USA, and European states. The chairman asserted that EFEC was very keen to encourage the largest number of small manufacturers so as to take part in FURNEX 2015 fair, in a step to make them have more experience as regard to how to present their products in international fairs and how to negotiate with buyers. Around 180 local firms working in different furniture sectors; classic, modern, office furniture and kitchen, had participated in FURNEX 2015, Egypt's biggest furniture fair, that took place in Cairo, on February 5-8th. Moreover, Derias pointed out that EFEC prepared a work plan in cooperation with Wood Working and Furniture Industries Chamber aiming to increase sector's exports with more than 20% annually.
