Two international events were festively opened at Belgrade Fair – the Fair of Furniture, Equipment and Interior Decoration and the Fair of Woodworking Machines, Tools and Production Materials. This year’s 54th woodworking show is held at 55 thousand square meters and more than 520 exhibitors from about fifty countries displayed their exhibits – furniture, production materials, machines and other furniture manufacturing and interior decoration equipment.
– Our plan to let Belgrade Furniture Fair become the third large fair of this type in Europe – after Cologne and Milan is ambitious, but if we continue having good results and sufficite in the exchange with the world, if we keep the vitality of this industry and this part of economy – we shall also succeed in it, said Mr. Rasim Ljajić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, declaring the fairs open.
At the festive opening of the 54th Furniture Fair, Mr. Ljajić reminded he has opened this event also 33 years ago, but it was at present incomparably larger and better by all criteria. When there is not even one free square meter of the exhibiting space, this shows its importance, reputation, credibility. With his explanation he expected the number of visitors to exceed 80 thousand this year, Minister said he especially expected the increase of the business visitors number, since this event had just such a character.
At the opening of this most important event within furniture design, manufacturing and distribution in the region, Ms. Danka Selić, Belgrade Fair CEO, said Belgrade Furniture Fair was the best guide through the woodworking industry and the trends in that branch. The exhibitors from all manufacturing stages were present there – from the primary one to the final product manufacturing, design got the deserved position, but special attention deserved the Young Designer Exhibition.
Before she wished successful attendance to the exhibitors, Ms. Danka Selić also said Belgrade Fair attempted to keep and raise quality, but it also worked hard on the creation of the increasingly good business ambient.
Pointing out Belgrade was the host of this large and important event, it became the trade fair city and should remain it, Mr. Andreja Mladenović, Deputy Mayor, said the Furniture Fair deserved great attention and invited the visitors to be a part of this successful event. He also pointed out the Young Designer Exhibition, but also a special booth – the one attended by the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Belgrade.
The Furniture Fair festive opening attendee was also Mr. Helmut Merkel, Editor-in-chief of the prominent European magazine Moebelmarkt, who pointed out he was honored to attend this event:
– Trade fairs are significant due to personal contacts, since it is very important to know business partners – trust and long-term cooperation are accomplished this way. I believe trade fairs have the future and one of them is this one. Beside the furniture exhibition, other values Serbia has got are presented in it, as well – from large forest areas, skilled labours and presentation of the whole woodworking industry having great export experience. With the strong furniture industry Serbia has got, many changes made in the Fair organization and high furniture demand in the country and the region – this will be a successful event, concluded Mr. Helmut Merkel.
The International Fair of Furniture, Equipment and Interior Decoration, the 54th edition and the Fair of Woodworking Machines, Tools and Production Materials take place till Sunday, November 13.
