ASEAN Furniture Industries Council Gets New Leadership

Furniture World News

The Chamber of Furniture of the Philippines (CFIP) announced that they have officially taken over the helm of the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC) from the Malaysian Furniture Industries Council (MFIC). The Philippines, which is next in line for chairmanship after Malaysia, will carry the baton for AFIC from 2007 to 2009. The other member countries of the AFIC are Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand. Dato’ Yong Seng Yeow, President of MFIC and the immediate past Chairman of AFIC formally handed over the reigns of AFIC to Mr Nicolaas K. De Lange who was appointed by the Board of CFIP as Chairman of AFIC for the two-year term. Mr De Lange has previously served as President of CFIP for two terms and also manages his own company, Designs Ligna. Mr De Lange said: “I am honoured be given this great responsibility to take on this dynamic role. The new Secretariat will build upon the good foundation established by the past committee and continue to pursue initiatives in the best interests of the ASEAN furniture industries and all its members. AFIC will remain an active player in increasing intra-ASEAN trade and continue to enhance our members’ competitiveness amidst intense global competition.” To further strengthen the Council’s knowledge and expertise in the area of intra-regional trade, Mr De Lange has appointed Mr Jerry Tan, Vice President of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council and Managing Director of Jaco Singapore Pte Ltd, as Secretary General of AFIC. Mr Tan, who travels extensively throughout the ASEAN countries, brings with him a wealth of industry experience and is expected to play a key role in fast tracking AFIC’s strategic initiatives to accelerate the growth of the ASEAN furniture industries. For more information on AFIC, please visit www.aficfurn.com.