Huge Potential For M'sian Furniture In Latin America

By Christine Lim KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 (Bernama) -- There is huge potential for Malaysian furniture in the Latin American market although Malaysia will face stiff competition from Brazil, which is known as a big furniture manufacturer in that region. Carlos Fernandez, president of PT Bybeka, an exclusive furniture and designing company in Indonesia, said Malaysia has a competitive edge in terms of price and quality. Bybeka, which has a manufacturing facility in Indonesia, specialises in producing fine handmade teak furniture for home furnishings. "In addition, we also sourced for furniture from other countries including Malaysia," he told Bernama. Fernandez said the company sourced furniture, mostly leather sofas, from Malaysian manufacturers totalling about US$60,000 to US$100,000 per year. "We don't see any increase in our business this year due to the economic and debt crisis in Europe. Spain, which is one of our customers, is also embroiled in the debt crisis," he said. Bybeka, he said, has customers all over the world, including India, Singapore, Spain, France, Sweden, Colombia and Egypt. Fernandez is on a working visit to the 18th Malaysian International Furniture Fair to scour for business opportunities at the five-day trade fair which began Tuesday. "I am looking for sofas and dining sets here," he said, adding that he is particularly interested in mid-range type of home furniture. -- BERNAMA