HCM City hosts in’tl furniture fair (VOV) -More than 140 businesses from ten different countries are attending the annual Vietnam International Furniture and Fine Arts Exports Fair (VIFA 2014), in Ho Chi Minh City on March 11. In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai highlighted the strong development of the wood and handicraft sector, which he said, is among key hard-currency earners. The four-day VIFA 2014 is expected to create an opportunity for businesses to exchange experience, present products, and seek new domestic and international trade partners, he noted. HCM City People’s Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Thi Hong spoke highly of the potential of Vietnamese wood and handicraft products and  suggested the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA) should focus on the domestic market and help local firms dominate home turf. Local wood exporters should study consumer taste and market trends to develop their own operation plans, Hong added. The fair features various events such as a seminar on safety standards for timber exports to the US, a workshop on developing wood and handicraft designs, and an exhibition of the best works selected from an interior design competition. According to the HAWA, Vietnam earned US$5.56 billion from timber exports in 2013, up 19.2% against the previous year. HAWA Chairman Huynh Van Hanh said the figure is likely to increase by 20% to US$6.5 this year, while domestic sales of timber products may reach over US$2 billion. VOV