The local furniture industry is seeking the government’s help in facilitating their involvement in global furniture expositions to showcase the country’s products.

The sector is primarily appealing for assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Tourism, Erwin Tan, chairperson of the Philippine International Furniture Show, which was unveiled on Thursday at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, said.

“Our goal is to reposition the furniture industry back not only in the domestic but in the international stage. Our standing lagged for a while, especially during the pandemic. But to cope, we are introducing a lot of new materials and producing more talents to reposition back. We are known to be the Milan of Asia before because of the ingenuity and talents of our people,” Tan said.

He said, that in repositioning the Philippines as a top furniture supplier globally, they have to increase production and improve exposure abroad through international shows.

“We can bring this show to Dubai, to Europe in Milan, the USA, that is why we need the support of the DTI and the DoT as it is not easy to bring our products to an international forum or shows,” he said.

Tan said Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia remain the tough competitors of the country when it comes to exporting furniture products.

He said Philippine-made furniture is reaching as far as Brazil and other parts of Latin America.

Tan also revealed that 30 percent of raw materials in producing furniture in the country are imported, while the remaining 70 percent are locally-sourced, stating that they are having challenges when it comes to varying tariffs of importing countries.

“Also, other countries have stricter regulations and quality control, especially when we are importing high-grade materials,” he added.

Other challenges to the industry include the rising cost of doing business, the sourcing raw materials, high power prices, and rising labor costs.

“That has always been a problem of the industry and we are coping somehow. The furniture industry remains a contributor to the country’s gross domestic product.

But what is important is that more than the value, it’s the job that we produce for the Filipino workforce, as well as the empowerment that we bring to communities, particularly in Manila, Pampanga, and Cebu that have been producing one of a kind furniture products featuring the craftsmanship of Filipino talents,” Tan explained.