world news - 13.11.2002
Vlahovic opens 40th furniture fair
Serbian Minister of Economy and Privatisation Aleksandar Vlahovic opened the 40th International Fair of Furniture, Equipment and Interior Decoration, which will gather more than 400 exhibitors, including 100 foreign exhibitors. Vlahovic said that this is one of the four largest fairs in Belgrade and said that the wood processing industry should be Serbia's crucial export area.
According to Vlahovic, the country's wood and furniture exports stood at one billion dollars 12 years ago, compared to a meager $100 million this year. "We lack investments not only for this, but also for other sectors of industry to become competitive in Europe and in the world," he said, adding that the wood processing and furniture industries would considerably influence the country's liquidity.
Vlahovic said that privatisation revenues brought in ˆ300 million this year However, Vlahovic expects that figure to top one billion euro next year. Most of that will be transferred to the Serbian Fund for Development.
"We expect that privatisation will be in top speed next year, and that 60 percent of the privatisation business will be completed in 2003," Vlahovic said, adding that next year's furniture fair will gather a larger number of private exhibitors.
The fair, taking place from Nov. 11 to 17, has gathered around 100 foreign exhibitors from 20 countries: former Yugoslav republics, Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Sweden, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, etc. Domestic and foreign exhibitors approve discounts of up to 30 percent during the fair.
See also:
- — Timber sales down in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
- — Croatia certifies all 2 million hectares of state-owned forests
- — Chinese visits `crucial
- — DREMA 2002: International Trade Fair of Woodworking Machines and Tools
- — Small furniture firms battle to keep doors open