MINSK, 10 January (BelTA) – A collective Belarusian exposition will showcase the best specimens of modern Belarusian furniture and woodworking products at Europe's largest international furniture expo IMM Cologne 2020 due in Cologne, Germany on 13-19 January, BelTA learned from Ruzhena Novitskaya, the spokeswoman for the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom.
The exposition will feature such Belarusian companies as Ivatsevichdrev, Molodechnomebel, Slonimmebel, Gomel Furniture Factory Progress, Gomeldrev, and Yelsk Furniture Factory of Mozyr Woodworking Plant.
The Belarusian exposition will display furniture made with the use of various technologies and from various materials, from particle boards and fiberboards to fine solid wood.
Apart from furniture and materials for its manufacturing, the Belarusian enterprises will demonstrate their technological capacity for making furniture according to established parameters. “A lot of Belarusian enterprises already produce furniture to the design of European clients, such as IKEA, JYSK, OTTO, XXXLutz, and others. We have promoted this practice because it helps improve export potential of Belarusian manufacturers,” Ruzhena Novitskaya noted.
“In 2019 Belarusian enterprises showcased their products as part of the single Made in Belarus exposition. Last year's experience showed that promoting the single Belarusian brand is far more effective than advertising separate trademarks or producers. This is why we have decided to participate in the largest international shows with a single Belarusian exposition,” Ruzhena Novitskaya added.
Representatives of Belarusian companies are also set to meet with potential partners and sign several agreements and contracts.
The IMM Cologne expo is an important event in the European market that draws representatives of companies from 50 countries. Participants of the expo aim to promote their products in the German market and to get access to new markets in general. Enterprises affiliated with Bellesbumprom view the European market as one of the most interesting and promising. Those Belarusian companies that regularly take part in international expos have increased shipping volumes. For example, in January-November 2019, Ivatsevichdrev's export to the EU surged by more than ten times, Molodechnomebel and Gomeldrev doubled their export to the EU. Slonimmebel boosted export to the EU by 1.4 times, and Mozyr Woodworking Plant by 1.3 times. Several companies are fulfilling orders from the largest European retail chains and continue to increase the volume of these orders.
IMM Cologne annually features more than 1,300 participants from all over the world. The total exhibition area is 280.000m2. Belarusian enterprises will participate in the expo under the auspices of Bellesbumprom and the Association of Furniture and Woodworking Companies. The exhibition operator will be Belinterexpo of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
