Cebu bullish to exceed furniture export target

CEBU, Philippines - While the national furniture industry is hitting a 15 percent growth this year, Cebu on the other hand is seen to exceed the target due to aggressive efforts to turn-around the performance.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte said in an interview yesterday that Cebu is likely to post more than the national target, saying "Cebu has always been the leader in the furniture trade [both exports and domestic."

According to Philexport trustee Myrna Bituin, furniture makers are intensifying export promotion and other marketing programs to boost overseas presence and achieve a 15-percent growth in export revenues this year, even as they expect domestic demand also to continue driving growth.

“We would really like to join international shows. This is important. (And the) government has to support the presence of Philippine exporters on international markets,” said Bituin.

Butuin identified the Middle East and the United States as among the biggest overseas markets for Philippine-made furniture.

“(In the first quarter,) there were companies that were very busy. The Middle East market has continued to support, came to the Philippines to buy. Even some American companies have slowly come back,” Bituin added.

Although growth is apparent for the long been battered furniture sector, specifically this year, Caberte urged players to strengthen major markets like United States and Japan, while focusing efforts to develop new products.

At the same time, continue to captivate the local market, as it has been the savior of the industry in the recent years.

To seize the business opportunities offered by the domestic market, Bituin added, the industry is working with designers and property developers to assure them the sector can meet their requirements. (FREEMAN)