A workshop to prepare for the International Furniture Fair in Singapore 2015 was co-organised by the Dong Nai Forest Products Processing Association and the VCCI Exhibition Service Limited Company on September 22 in an effort to equip local wood processing enterprises with an understanding of the international market.

The biggest Asian furniture fair is scheduled to take place at the Singapore Expo International Convention and Exhibition Centre in March 2015, showcasing furniture, handicrafts, paintings and wall decorations.

Le Van Danh, Head of Dong Nai’s Department of Industry and Trade, said timber was one of the province’s most valuable exports after apparel and footwear.

Dong Nai generated approximately 602 million USD by exporting wood products during the first eight months of 2014, a year-on-year increase of 8.2 percent, he added.

The province currently has over 600 wood-related enterprises, earning 2 billion USD in revenue last year, with almost 1.5 billion USD generated by exports. Its exports reported positive growth on all its key markets, such as the US, Canada, the UK, the Republic of Korea and Japan. Moreover, the province’s timber industry is accessing new markets in Latin America and Africa.-VNA