2008 TRENDS IN FURNITURE INTRODUCED AT IMOB

Major Turkish furniture companies setting their export target as 1.3 billion and exporting to 110 countries introduced their latest trends at Istanbul Furniture Fair. The fair organized at CNR EXPO Fair Ground on 30 January – 3 February by ITF- Istanbul Trade Fairs in collaboration with MOSDER( Association of Turkish Furniture Manufacturers) attracted over 70 thousand domestic and foreign visitors.

Furniture manufacturers from many cities in Turkey including Ankara, Bursa, Adana, Kayseri, Eskisehir, Adapazari, Konya, Trabzon, Samsun, Izmir and Yalova attended the fair. KOSGEB - Small and Medium Industry Development Organization- supported the fair to which hosted buyer delegations were invited by Undersecretaries of the Prime Ministry for Foreign Trade

72 THOUSAND VISITORS
Istanbul Furniture Fair was organized at 8 halls at an area of 120 thousand m². This year there were 296 exhibitor companies, 23 of which were international. International exhibitor countries were Italy, Holland, Iran, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Brazil, China and India. The total numbers of visitors were 72.103, 6752 of which were international.

FAMOUS BRANDS AT IMOB
Leading companies of the sector such as Cilek, Ipek, Yatas, Dogtas, Adnan Serbest, Idas, Mondi, Kilim, Aldora and Atlas exhibited in the fair. Such foreign brands as Pierre Cardin, Ponello, Movesul Brasit, Meubelco and Lerona also attended the fair. A wide range of products from home furniture, interior design, armchair to bed were exhibited in the show. The show paved the way for new business connections for importers, exporters, buyers, retailers, architects, interior designers, decorators, industrial designers and furniture supply industry manufacturers.

AWARDS PRESENTED
The results of the contest organized during IMOB at 5 categories were revealed with a ceremony Adnan Serbest for its Mis product in sitting set category, Alfemo for its “Aura” product in bedroom category, Dogtas for its “Exclusive” product and Caglayan Koltuk for its “Alfa” product in dining room catagory, Aris Cerceve for its “Moda Cekimi 002” in accessories category and again Dogtas for “The Best Stand” category were presented awards.

LOMBARDIA’S NEW PRODUCTS SHOWS OFF AT IMOB FOR THE FIRST TIME
Italian furnishers introduced New Year’s trends at Istanbul Furniture Fair. In the stand prepared by Chamber of Commerce of Milan / Promos Lombardia’s – known as the industry, fashion and design region of Italy - 14 famous companies’ new products were displayed to the visitors. The opening of the stand was made by Domenico Zambetti Minister for the Handicraft and Services Regione Lombardia
Roberto Calugi, Milan’s Chamber of Commerce, Director of Mediterranean Region; Chairman of Italy’s Chamber of Commerce Giuseppe Moggi; Secretary General Fatih Aycin and diplomatic authorities were present at the opening ceremony.
European Furniture Industrialists Confederation (EFIC) got into contact with related associations and establishments of furniture industry through the medium of IMOB. Also, the federation members organized a joint press conference with MOSDER authorities. In the conference up-to-date furniture market information were shared with the public.

The panel under the topic”Design and Industrial Cooperation” was organized in the second day of the fair with the collaboration of Milan Technical University and Istanbul Technical University. University lecturers from both universities attended the panel.

THE VOLUME OF THE SECTOR IS 7 BILLION DOLLARS
The export volume of the sector, in which 60 thousand companies display activity and which is 7 billion dollars magnitude, increased %40 in the last 3 years. Turkey exports to 110 countries as Germany, Greece, Iraq, The Netherlands, USA, France, Israel and Iran being the leading ones. Last year’s export volume was around 800 million dollars.

IMOB 2007 had a flood of visitors. There were 66.712 visitors, 4.487 of which were foreign visitors and the rest 62.225 were domestic.