A BUSINESS mission heading to the United States this month will give furniture companies a chance to explore opportunities in the huge market.

The May 13-21 mission will involve a delegation of 14 representatives from 10 companies.

They will go to New York and Las Vegas to attend various exhibitions and meetings and also visit Washington for a briefing on the requirements and procedures for securing US government contracts.

There is plenty of room for Singapore furniture players to grow in the US, particularly in the hospitality contract furniture segments, which were worth about US$10 billion (S$13.7 billion) in 2008.

Despite last year's economic downturn, the US remained the global furniture trade's growth driver with imports at US$32 billion, according to the International Trade Centre based in Switzerland.

The mission is a very important one for the local industry, said Mr Andrew Ng, president of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), which is leading the mission along with IE Singapore.

'The involvement of SFIC members in the construction of the integrated resorts will boost their portfolios, giving them added leverage,' he said.

Gaining a strong foothold in the US will also open up opportunities for related sectors like lighting, furnishings, carpeting and flooring, he added.

The companies participating are Cheng Meng Furniture, Customised Inc, Eurosa Furniture, Ewins, Falcon Incorporation, Kawashi Intl Singapore, Getz Bros and Company, Unicane Furniture, Nobel Design Holdings, and V-Mark Woodcraft.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.