The Furniture Industry Association of Bento Gonçalves (Sindmóveis) is rejoicing at the performance of the furniture industry in the foreign market in 2017. According to data gathered from the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, local companies exported US$ 38 million in 2017, which represents an increase of 8.9% over the previous year.

Within the main markets, the best results were obtained in Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Paraguay and the United States. Also noteworthy was the increase in exports to Saudi Arabia (+ 1029.2%), United Arab Emirates (+ 117.1%) and India (+ 1098.3%). The local furniture industry consists of 300 companies based in Bento Gonçalves, Monte Belo do Sul and Santa Tereza. Their performance was higher than exports of furniture from Rio Grande do Sul, which grew by 4.9% in the period, and from Brazil as a whole, with a growth of 6.9%

For Sindmóveis, this result is especially relevant considering that sales in the domestic market declined last year. For the president of the association, Edson Pelicioli, the contact with the requirements and peculiarities of the international market helps the companies to be even more competitive in the domestic market, promoting the development of the whole furniture industry. "We believe that the size of the international market and the potential of the furniture industry more than justify investments in exports and international business.

Sindmóveis develops several initiatives for the internationalization and development of the entire furniture sector. In addition to the commercial actions that serve as a competitive tool for the launch of new products by the furniture industry, the association counts on an International Committee, which studies and creates opportunities for the furniture producing region in the foreign market. This group also holds a forum for discussing strategies to overcome the difficulties of the international market and the development of actions for the furniture industry

For Movelsul Brasil, which will be held from March 12 to 15, 2018, in Bento Gonçalves, Sindmóveis is preparing the biggest Buyer’s Project in its history.  Fifty foreign shopkeepers and distributors were invited to negotiate with Brazilian companies and designers during business meetings held during the fair. In the last show, in 2016, 780 business meetings took place between 120 Brazilian companies and 30 guest importers. The meetings will be supported by Apex-Brasil, through the sector-based projects Brazilian Furniture (Abimóvel) and Raiz  Project (Sindmóveis).