UBM Malaysia announced it is delaying the inaugural launch of a new furniture show by several months to allow the event to coincide with a more established show in the region.

UBM Malaysia, a division of UBM Asia, originally planned to hold its first Southeast Asia Furniture & Interiors Import-Export Exhibition Sept. 13-15 in Kuala Lumpur. It will now debut that show at the March 4-8 Malaysian International Furniture Fair, which is also operated by UBM Malaysia.

While organizers said SEAFIE has gained interest from buyers from more than 40 countries so far, exhibitors reportedly favored holding it more in line with the MIFF event. That show will take place at the Putra World Trade Center and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur.

The new show is targeted largely to interior designers, contract and hospitality buyers, property developers and architects. As such, it aims to offer design and fashion-driven furniture at competitive prices.

MIFF offers residential upholstery and case goods at mostly promotional to lower middle price points. It also has a contract office component that draws both residential and contract furniture buyers.

Officials said the SEAFIE show will help meet the demand for medium to high end furniture in and outside Southeast Asia.

"But for now we must also consider our responsibility to all our customers, both furniture manufacturers and buyers," said Karen Goi, general manager of the Furniture & Interiors division of UBM Malaysia.

"Still, we have chosen to continue to create a platform for buyers, architects and designers interested in the mid-to high-end products by launching SEAFIE as a special feature at the 20th anniversary of MIFF next year," she added. "This move still gives exhibitors more value for their participation as well as more product selection for buyers. In many respects, SEAFIE's movement to MIFF's 20th anniversary is demonstrative of our commitment to furthering the growth of the industry but at the same time also considers the immediate needs of our long-time partners and community."