HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The 2016 Viet Nam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair (VIFA-EXPO 2016) to be held in HCM City next week will offer industry executives the chance to network and explore business opportunities.

It has attracted 245 domestic and foreign exhibitors who will set up 1,243 booths, an increase of 38 per cent and 36 per cent from last year, Huynh Van Hanh, deputy chairman of the Handicrafts and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (HAWA), said.

The increase reflects the strong demand from furniture manufacturers for trade promotion to boost exports, he told a press conference on Monday.

The fair will display a wide range of export-oriented indoor and outdoor furniture, handicrafts, and interior furnishing and accessories.

Hanh said 1,200 customers from 82 countries and territories had registered as of February 29 to visit the fair.

Organised by the city Department of Industry and Trade, HAWA and HAWA Corporation, the fair will also see the awards ceremony for the Hoa Mai Prize, a furniture design competition.

The expo will be held at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre from March 8 to 11.

Last year Viet Nam's exports of wood and wood products were worth US$6.9 billion, up 10.74 per cent from the previous year. — VNS