Mebel’2009 welcomes its participants and visitors
The Mebel’2009 International Exhibition opened its doors at Expocentre Fairgrounds on November 23. Organized by Expocentre, Mebel ranks among the largest furniture exhibitions in Eastern Europe and one of the world’s most significant industry events.
Mebel is held under the auspices of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Government of Moscow, with support from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, assistance and participation of industry unions and associations such as the Russian Union of Timber Industrialists and Exporters, Centromebel ZAO and Centrlesexpo OAO.
Igor A. Korotin, Director of the RF CCI Exhibition and Fair Department, greeted the exhibitors and organizers, saying that for nearly thirty years Mebel had been Russia’s major furniture event to visit to search for new ideas, make new business contacts and network commercially.
Valery A. Prilipov, Deputy Director of the Timber and Light Industries Department of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, pointed out that the furniture sector was the most important component of the national timber-processing industry. Paying constant attention to the industry’s development, the Russian Government listed projects aimed at the furniture sector development among those of national priority.
The list of the Mebel’2009 exhibitors includes about 1,000 companies from 34 countries. The exhibition occupies over 80,000 sqm and comprises eleven national expositions.
It is the fifteenth time Italian companies have established a presence in Italy’s national exposition at Mebel. Roberto Pelo, Director of the Moscow Office of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) said Italian furniture makers realized the importance of exhibiting at such a large-scale event. Overcoming many difficulties caused by the global recession, ICE and other government institutions had spared no effort to arrange Italy’s national exhibition at Mebel’2009.
The participation of the Minister of Economic Development of Italy in the work of Mebel’2009 underlines the importance of the event for Italian furniture makers who gain ample opportunity to conduct business meetings and conclude forward looking contracts. 
Since 1995 Mebel has comprised a national exposition by Spain that considers the Russian market as strategically important. Russia is reckoned among the ten leading importers of Spanish products, including furniture ones. Javier Burgos, Advisor on Trade and Economy to the Spanish Embassy in Russia and Head of the Spanish Trade Representative Office said that Spain would go on participating in Mebel as it was Russia’s major furniture event.
According to Timur R. Irtuganov, General Director of Centrlesexpo OAO, the economic recession has had a negative impact on many industries including the furniture industry. However, despite difficult economic environment Mebel is maintaining its high status as evidenced by high attendance and floor space figures.
‘The Mebel international exhibition continues to develop. Despite the difficulties of the crisis period the exhibition enjoys participation of its existing exhibitors and welcomes many new companies,’ stated Deputy Director General of Expocentre Anatoly V. Sobolev. ‘The independent exhibition audit has confirmed that the potential buying capacity of the exhibition is worth 15 – 24 billion roubles; and it is these figures that ensure success for every company participating in Russia’s main furniture forum.’
We wish you every success at Mebel’2009! The exhibition is open through November 27 in all pavilions of Expocentre Fairgrounds. Working hours: from 10.00 to 18.00; on November 27: from 10.00 to 16.00.