OREANDA-NEWS. On 15 August 2008 was announced, that the framework of the Euroexpofurniture 2008 included the presentation of the World furniture congress which will be held on November 9-10, 2008 at the Crocus expo exhibition centre.

The presentation of the 3rd World furniture congress which was introduced in the framework of Euroexpofurniture was attended by: Valentin Zverev, President of the Association of Furniture and Woodworking Enterprises of Russia; Calixto Valenti, President of the World Furniture Confederation (WFC) and European Federation of Furniture Manufacturers (UEA); Alexander Bortsov, First Deputy Director General of CJSC Crocus International; Andrei Lapshin, President of MVK International Exhibition Company; Dmitriy Yamshchikov, head of the task force on preparation of the 3rd World Furniture Congress in Moscow.

In his speech Mr. Zverev emphasized that Association of Furniture and Woodworking Enterprises of Russia (AFWER) joined the membership of the World Furniture Congress initiators because it shares the opinions and aims of the organization:

- The world furniture is actively being globalized (universal application of homotypic manufacturing equipment, technologies and consumables, move of productive capacities to the developing countries, development of new furniture outlets, establishment of joint manufacturing and trade companies).

The intensive growth factors are depleted. Under such circumstances the aggravation of competitive activity is inevitably decreasing. That is why elaboration of the civilized market rules is the top issue now. Such rules must be clear, understandable and supported by most players of the world furniture market. These problems can be resolved by the newly-established association.

According to the President of AFWER the key areas of the World Furniture Congress (WFC) are clearly seen now. It is, in particular, elaboration of universal sanitary standards to turn out products (however, implementation of ecological standards by separate countries should not be used as a tool for their non-tariff export regulations). Among the topical issues are protection of copyright, control over counterfeit and low-quality products, international cooperation in the sphere of industrial cooperation and specialization, civilized usage of workforce in view of local conditions.

“We proceed from the fact that normal industry development in the circumstances of enclosed space, even if we speak about the European Federation of Furniture Manufacturer, is not sufficient today. We need the international cooperation, which the World furniture confederation will provide”, summed up Zverev.

President of WFC Mr.Valenti in his turn touched upon the history of the confederation establishment, outlined some problems which the furniture industry is facing at present time and expressed hope that the Russian Association and its partners Crocus Expo and MVK will prepare and organize the Congress at the highest level.

“Organization of the international conferences is one of the most important components of WFC work”, said Calixto Valenti. “The venue is chosen by the board of WFC directors after continuous discussions. Directors take into account the significance of the hosting country and of its furniture industry, its capacity and readiness of the organizers for the Congress. The decision to hold the 3rd World furniture congress in Moscow proves the significance of Russia and acknowledges fast growth of its furniture industry”.

Alexander Bortsov, First Deputy Director General of CJSC Crocus International, assured that his company as the general partner of the Congress has all the necessary resource to organize the forum at the highest level.

President of MVK Andrei Lapshin thanked Mr. Valenti for his attention to Euroexpofurniture 2008 and added that the World congress in Moscow will be a brilliant event in the world furniture market.

Dmitriy Yamshchikov, head of the task force on preparation of the 3rd World Furniture Congress in Moscow, told about the work of the task force and hoped that the World forum in Moscow will allow the Russian furniture manufacturers expand their international links and find their own level in the world market.