OREANDA-NEWS. Belarusian woodworking companies will undergo large-scale modernization. New manufactures of chip boards and medium density fibre boards will be set up as well, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko declared at the opening ceremony of the 14th international exhibition Furniture-2008 in Minsk, reported the Official website www.government.by.

Belarus is rich in forest and this resource should be effectively used. Every year about 14 million cubic meters of wood are processed, over 2 million cubic meters of timber are exported. “It is more profitable to export processed wood than timber, since ready-made goods are more expensive. For this purpose we have to set up up-to-date manufactures,” Vladimir Semashko stressed.

According to him, Furniture-2008 showcases the best products of the Belarusian woodworking industry. About 30 Belarusian state-run companies present their furniture collections at the exhibition, including Pinskdrev, Molodechnomebel, Bobruiskmebel, Gomeldrev, Minskproyektmebel, Mogilevdrev, Slonimmebel and others. All of them are subordinate to the Bellesbumprom concern. Also participating in the fair are 180 companies from Russia, Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

From 2000 to 2006 furniture production in Belarus grew 5,-fold. In January-August 2007, some Br 689.7 billion worth of furniture was made in the country, an increase of 21,6% as against same time last year. Especially growing is the production of sofa-beds, beds, bedroom and children’s furniture.

Furniture-2008 is one of the largest annual furniture exhibitions in Belarus aimed to present the latest developments and trends in furniture making. The exhibition gives an excellent opportunity to find new partners, choose the best marketing policy, and establish new contacts. It features a wide range of furniture for dining rooms, bathrooms, banks, offices, bars and restaurants, casino, shops recreation and tourism. The exhibition also showcases various furniture accessories, paints and varnishes, upholstery, tiles, flooring, etc.

Furniture 2008 is organized by the National Exhibition Center Belexpo, the Ministry of Trade of Belarus, the Bellesbumprom concern, the association of woodworking and furniture industry of Belarus.