The upcoming 15th session of China (Guangzhou) International Furniture Fair will put an impetus on the export business of the furniture suppliers of the nation and provide them with access to the latest global industrial information, market insiders said.

One of such advocators is Wang Ke, chairman of Guangdong Provincial Furniture Association.

"The event, to be held at two phases, will provide furniture suppliers with more space for their product display and will attract more global professional buyers than ever," Wang said. "That will mean much greater business potential for both furniture suppliers and buyers," he added.

The first phase of the fair, set from Friday to next Monday, will highlight home furniture, while the second phase, scheduled from March 26 to 29, will focus on office furniture and commercial furniture.

To be held at the same time as the first phase is the Interzum Guangzhou 2005, jointly organized by Koelnmesse BmbH, a leading global exhibition giant based in Germany; and the Hometextile China 2005, co-organized with the China Home Textile Trade Association, will be held concurrently with the second phase of the fair.

Intermzum Guangzhou 2005 will focus on the latest innovations in manufacturing and production machinery, equipment, tools, electronics and software, as well as the latest manufacturing techniques for furniture production; and the Hometexitle China 2005 will concentrate on beddings, and linens for bathroom and kitchen.

The chairman said that the strategy to split the event into two phases will be particularly conducive to the nation's office furniture and commercial furniture suppliers in their efforts to better develop the global market.

He said that the nation's office furniture and commercial furniture exports has made up no more than 10 per cent of the total in the past few years.

Official statistics indicate that China's exports of furniture were worth US$10.35 billion in 2004, up 41.2 per cent from 2003.

And furniture exports of Guangdong Province were worth US$4.46 billion last year, up 22 per cent from 2003.

Some 410 renowned furniture suppliers will show off their latest products at the first phase of the fair; and another 400-odd suppliers will seek business opportunities at the second phase of the event.

Editor: Olivia