The Egyptian Furniture Export Council (EFEC) was established by a Ministerial decree in 1999 as an independent body to support the Furniture Sector.
It aims at increasing the Egyptian Furniture Exports to 1 Billion USD and increase the production from 1Billion USD to 2 Billion USD by 2012; to implement the government's export strategy for the furniture sector through providing needed and related services to the members of the council; to increase and develop the competitiveness of the Egyptian furniture products by providing export related services and reduce export obstructions.
Moreover, to build the manufacturers' comprehension of the importance of design for the industry development and the exports' growth.
The EFEC has developed a clear strategy for the growth of the industry by supporting its members to gain a competitive advantage in the international market through supplying the members with what they need whether information about the sector in Egypt or abroad. In addition to advice and problem solving consultancy, exporting opportunities and matchmaking, assistance to join international exhibitions, conferences and workshops, training, information and updates on all regulations related to exporting, trade agreements or ministerial decrees; as well as links to all other export service providers.
EFEC activities:
The EFEC has a clear strategy to develop the sector and promote the Egyptian furniture industry in the international market through organizing seminars, workshops, trainings and exhibiting in renowned international trade fairs with steady reputation and outstanding statistics of visitors' numbers.
- International Exhibitions:
The council has a yearly plan for international exhibitions participation where the companies can participate in collective stands under the name of Egypt or in separate stands with their own name benefiting in both cases of the funds the council approves for such events.
EFEC has an outstanding participation history in many international exhibitions such as; Salone Internazionale Del Mobile at Milan – Italy where in 2009 edition the new Egyptian brand 
where launched; Equip hotel and Meuble Paris in Paris – France, interiors Birmingham in England, index Dubai at the United Arab Emirates; Salon cologne in Germany and many more.
Not to forget Egypt's international furniture and home furnishings trade fair FURNEX, the exhibition that started in 2004 to promote the Egyptian furniture industry locally and internationally and that reached by its 6th edition in 2009, 182 exhibitors and 75.000 visitors where around 800 where from 36 different countries.
Furnex is organized by the Egyptian exporters association – Expolink and funded by the industrial modernization center – IMC.
- EFEC Projects
§ Design + Industry workshop I (December 08 - June 2009)
With the strong belief in the vital role of Design, its role in industry and the impact it has on the international exposure, the Egyptian Furniture Export Council organized the first International Design + Industry Workshop that took place in December 2008. Devoted to achieve its mission; EFEC partnered-up with Rhimal Design in Cairo and IED centro ricerche in Milan for this event and was funded by IMC.
This Workshop was led by a group of eight renowned international designers from Japan, USA, Europe and Egypt. They worked with a selected group of twenty young Egyptian designers together with twenty Egyptian furniture manufacturers. Their objective was to develop product ideas that have their roots in the Egypt Story, are global in their language and marketability, and are manufactured by Egyptian manufacturers.
The outcomes of the Workshop were exhibited at the "Salone Internazionale Del Mobile" - Milan in 22-27 April 2009 and later at Furnex International Furniture and Home Furnishings trade Fair in Cairo 4-8 June 2009.
Concurrent to this Design Workshop there was another group of designers working on a Communications Workshop to brand and package the developed ideas for international exhibitions.
The result was the new Egyptian brand used as an umbrella for all the Egyptian designed products.
§ Design + Industry workshop II (November 2009 - June 2010 )
Following the success of the first Design + Industry Workshop, the Egyptian Furniture Export Council (EFEC) in collaboration with Rhimal Design and international experts from the Instituto Europeo di Design Centro Ricerche (IED) supported by the Industrial Modernization Centre (IMC) are organizing a second workshop led by selected international designers, young Egyptian designers will be led through the design development experience to produce innovative and inspired designs that define Egyptian identity to a contemporary market.
The resulting prototypes will be presented under the “ ” brand at the Milan International Furniture Fair.
An international designer will lead a team of intern designers in developing product design concepts for a series of companies based on a design brief derived from the identities of and the respective companies.
- Design Management Courses (DMC) - 2010
The objective of this Design and Business Management Program is to develop an advanced level of competencies for young designers and entrepreneurs and upgrade the structure and skills of the existing Companies’ employees within the design and manufacturing fields.
The target participants for these courses are:
- Employees of manufacturing companies with a particular interest in the areas of design, prototyping, production, marketing and communication
- Post diploma students of design who are keen on working in the furniture segment
Each course is going to be conducted by one or several instructors from IED selected for their experience and expertise in the field and international sensitivity.
The proposed courses are:
- Product management
- design management
- basic furniture design
- Model Making basics
- Basic Graphic
- Basic Communication Strategy
EFEC services:
EFEC services package is designed to meet the manufacturers' needs and is always developing and improving. We are always open for new requests and suggestions to meet any member needs and requirements.
In addition, EFEC Provides services for international buyers and investors who are interested and wish to buy and/or invest in the Egyptian furniture industry.