Minister launches native hardwood furniture trade mission to USA

11/9/03
A trade mission launched by State Development Minister Clive Brown today will market Western Australia's native hardwood furniture on the east coast of the USA.
The mission will attend the International Home Furnishings Market at High Point Carolina and will aim to secure important export markets for WA's native hardwood furniture.
The mission received State Government financial assistance of $133,150 under the Native Timber Furniture Industry Assistance Scheme as a part of the 'Protecting our Old Growth Forests Policy' implementation package.
State Development Minister Clive Brown said it was exciting to see WA's high value native hardwood products being marketed around the world.
"The Gallop Government was elected on a platform to protect Western Australia's old growth forests and create a sustainable hardwood industry," Mr Brown said.
"A sustainable industry requires greater value adding and the furniture industry is one of the areas within the timber industry that has the capacity to do this.
"Western Australian hardwood furniture is world class and I am confident that this trade mission will open new doors and create new jobs and opportunities in our hardwood furniture industry."
The mission is being organised by the Furniture Industry Association of Australia (FIAA). Since 2002, the FIAA has coordinated and led five business missions to attend the San Francisco Furniture Mart on the West Coast of the USA.
Western Australia's hardwood furniture manufacturers have formed an alliance to market and promote WA's hardwood furniture under one umbrella, Australian Furniture Collections, creating a united marketing front to reduce export marketing costs. The alliance consists of Antry, Burgtec, Clarecraft Industries, Fremantle Furniture Factory and Glen Holst Furniture, all of which are participants in the joint FIAA/UWA Furniture Enterprises Workshop launched in May 2003.
Minister's office: 9222 9699