In addition, all members must pay attention to using raw materials sustainability and value-adding to their products, President of Lao Furniture Association KhamphaySomsana said recently at a meeting ahead of the first Lao Home and Living Fair.

The association has already promoted Lao furniture on international stages such as at the China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning province, China, International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS), International Furniture and Crafts Fair Indonesia (IFFINA), Export Furniture Exhibition (EFE) in Malaysia, Thailand International Furniture Fair (TIFF), and Asean-China (Chongqing) Home and Living Expo.

“Through the Lao Wood Furniture Fair in 2015 and this year, and the 2016 Vientiane Furniture Fair, the association has gained good experience so we decided to organise this event,” he said.

The furniture association will stage the Lao Home and Living Fair from July 18-24 in cooperation with the Trade and Product Promotion Department of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The event offers opportunities for furniture businesses and makers to meet and exchange information and experience with each other on new technology, designs, skills, quality and marketing.

In addition, operators will have the chance to meet their domestic and foreign customers and sell products at the event.

The association expects more than 200,000 people from home and abroad will attend the fair.

Organisers will invite business operators to display their ODOP products at the event with lucky draws and state performances set to entertain visitors.

Khamphay said the fair would be an important event for furniture businesses allowing them to bring their new products to display and sell.

The association was established in 2003 and has created job opportunities for local people and contributed to national socio-economic development.