Business news

MINSK, 12 September (BelTA) – Furniture enterprises run by the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom penetrated the markets of the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates, and several European countries in 2018, BelTA learned from Bellesbumprom Chairman of the Board Yuri Nazarov during the 25^th international trade show Furniture 2018.

Yuri Nazarov said: “Furniture enterprises export 66% of their output. It is very important for us because the figure describes the industry’s competitive ability on various markets. We’ve always been strong in Russia and the CIS states on the whole. Shipments are now being delivered to the USA. Zov-LenYevromebel Company will deliver the first few shipments to the UAE this year. It is important that export to the European Union is on the rise. We are also penetrating new markets.”

Yuri Nazarov remarked that it is necessary to find investors for the Belarusian furniture industry. Results have already been achieved: for instance, with Bellesbumprom’s assistance the German company Polipol is going to open an export-oriented furniture factory in Ivatsevichi, Brest Oblast.

In H1 2018 Bellesbumprom enterprises reported a 24% increase in furniture export to nearly $61 million. The main target markets are Russia ($34.7 million in H1 2018, 10.4% up from H1 2017), Poland ($7.6 million, 57.6% up), Kazakhstan (some $7 million, 2.9% up), Germany ($4.7 million, nearly six times up) as well as Lithuania and France. In January-June 2018 non-CIS furniture sales accounted for 28.7% of the total furniture export, up from 18.7% in H1 2017.

The 25^th international trade show Furniture 2018 is taking place in Minsk on 12-15 September. By custom Belarus’ top furniture manufacturers, including Bellesbumprom enterprises and the Association of Furniture and Woodworking Industry Enterprises, have arranged a consolidated exposition. A business forum will be held as part of the trade show on 13 September to discuss woodworking and furniture making in Belarus. The forum is supposed to assist Belarusian manufacturers of furniture and other woodworking products with penetrating new target markets, in particular, Germany, Austria, and neighboring countries. Results of the 2^nd national contest of industrial design in furniture industry will be summed up as well as results of the contests to name the best furniture maker of the year and the country’s best furniture of the year.