The northern Italian city of Milan will host the international design and furniture exhibition " Salone del Mobile," from April 18 to 23, 2007, Italian News Agency ANSA reported Tuesday.

The exhibition is organized by the Italian federation of wood and furniture industries Federlegno-Arredo's company Comit.

The 24th edition of the international lighting show will be held during "Salone del Mobile." More than 500 companies are expected to take part in the international lighting show.

Italian wood and furniture sector generated a turnover of 37.9 billion euros (one euro equals about 1.32 U.S. dollars) for 2006 compared to 36.9 billion euros for the previous year, according to preliminary data of the Italian federation of wood and furniture industries Federlegno-Arredo.

The sector's exports rose 4.5 percent to 12.5 billion euros. The wood furniture sector's imports increased by 13.3 percent in 2006, ANSA said.

Source: Xinhua