A six-day furniture fair ended yesterday with prospects for a brighter future for the expanding industry.

Happy with thousands of visitors during the showcase at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, organisers and furniture makers said the response to both home and office decor in the fair was overwhelming.

The cash-happy furniture lovers were also excited as they got a chance to check such a display at one place. It was perfect for the people who wanted to avoid huge traffic on streets after office hours or on weekends but spent their extra savings to decorate their homes.

“This is great to be here as I can easily choose my furniture from the fair, at one place. I can pick whatever I want,” said Shoma Islam, a senior executive of a local commercial bank.

Aklima Akter, a housewife, was also buoyant as she bought a sofa set from the fair. “I have bought it from so many options.”

Aklima said the prices of the furniture were reasonable.

Bangladesh Furniture Industry Owners Association organised the fair where 78 furniture-makers showcased their goods. It was the ninth fair organised by the association to promote furniture produced by local makers.

Executives of the furniture companies said Saturday sales at their stalls were satisfactory while the huge presence of clients demonstrated that furniture industry has a future at home.

Ibrahim Sheikh, sales executive of FURNITEC, said around 1,200 clients visited their outlet in the fair and their sales exceeded Tk 15 lakh.

OTOBI, the country's leading furniture-maker, knew it would get overwhelming response from the prospective clients.

Moinur Rahman Khan, senior executive of the company, said the clients accepted their effort to move from regular design to a new height of style, yet traditional.

“We wanted to promote our style here,” he said. “We have successfully done so.”

Golam Mustafa, sales executive of Navana furniture said their sales in the fair crossedTk 60 lakh.

Mustafa said around 450 customers have visited their stall everyday.

Md Saiduzzaman, deputy manager for sales of PARTEX Furniture, said his company offered a 15 percent flat discount on every item.

Saiduzzaman said their sales touched Tk 50 lakh, and the company's most popular items were wooden beds and dining tables.

iqram@thedailystar.net