Industry officials upbeat on the growth in demand driven by Expo 2020 as Dubai WoodShow kicks off at the Dubai World Trade Centre

1. More than 10,000 trade visitors expected to attend the three-day international trade exposition on wood products, woodworking technologies, etc
2. UAE’s total wood import and export value reached Dh4 billion in 2016
3. Dubai WoodShow to host 300 exhibitors from 55 countries and six country pavilions from March 12-14, 2018

His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi Cabinet Member and Minister of Infrastructure Development, officially inaugurated the 13th edition of the Dubai Woodshow at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday, March 12, 2018, in the presence of H.E. Pacome Moubelet Bouyeba, Gabonese Minister of Forest, Vira Khmerova, Vice President of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Wood Processing, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, along with other key international dignitaries and officials from the UAE and Dubai governments.

“Dubai Woodshow is a very successful exhibition and based on what I have just seen today – it will help our economy. Wood industry is very important to us and it is an added value to our economy,” Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi Cabinet Member and Minister of Infrastructure Development, said, following the inauguration. “The exhibition showcased a lot of new concepts, technologies and innovations that will help the industry in future as we move on.”

As Dubai prepares for the Expo 2020 – with a theme of sustainability and connectivity – wood products, woodworking technology will help the UAE achieve its Green Economy Vision, officials said.
Gabonese Minister of Forest and Environment Pacome Moubelet Bouyeba, said, he was amazed with the new technology, products and innovation in the wood industry. “We are a country where 88 percent of the land is covered with forest – that helps the wood industry to produce US$1 billion revenues a year. I have attended a large number of wood exhibitions. However, Dubai WoodShow offers the best technologies and products and services. I am amazed at what I have seen in this exhibition.”

The three-day international trade show that showcases the latest wood products, woodworking, machine tools and new technology, is participated by more than 300 exhibitors from 55 countries and includes six country pavilions – Canada, China, Finland, Russian Federation, Turkey and the USA.

Organised by Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, the event works as an industry barometer on the overall woodworking market and the induction of new concepts, ideas, accessories and technologies. More than 10,000 trade visitors are expected to participate at the international event – including visitors from the GCC and other markets to source the latest products, services, machineries as well as renew their existing trade relations.

Dawood Al Shezawi, President of Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, says, “A surge in oil price which is trading over US$60 a barrel brings back optimism and as investor sentiment rides high, we have seen a string of project announcements from the beginning of this year that will later create demand for interior décor, wood products and woodworking machineries.

“The massive construction activities in the GCC, especially in Dubai that is driven by Expo 2020-related infrastructure and projects – will continue to drive demand for wood products and we expect to see the wood import and export value to exceed Dh4 billion recorded in 2016 – in the following years.”

Dubai WoodShow is being supported by its strategic partner Homag, Steel Wood Industries, SIMCO and a number of other partners.
Eng. Raed Zuhier Damrah, Manager of Wood Division of SIMCO Industrial Machines Trd. Co. LLC, says, “The manufacturing sector is aggressively booming year after year. We have seen massive growth in our industry and by year 2020 we have great expectations from this market”.

Ghassan Farouk Afiouni, Managing Partner and Innovative Director of Steel Wood Industries, said, “Evolving from the heart of the GCC, Steel Wood Industries is determined to be regional partners with property developers for a variety of sustainable green products including the innovative SDB.

“A true green and sustainable industry, Steel Wood Industries business is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of UAE and Ruler of Dubai – who remains our true inspiration”.

The UAE’s Dh4 billion wood and wood products trade will get a solid growth push from the Dh285 billion real estate transactions in Dubai’s real estate sector in 2017 as the emirate sees more than 50,000 new homes are delivered in the emirate in 2017 and 2018.

Last year, 69,000 buyers and investors bought and sold Dh285 billion worth of land, properties and mortgage packages in Dubai. Each home requires wooden furniture, accessories and components and this is visible more in the villas and townhouses across the country.

According to the International Trade Statistics – a global gateway, the UAE’s total trade in wood and wood products reached US$1.1 billion (Dh4 billion) in 2016, including US$920.21 million (Dh3.37 billion) worth of imports and US$185.88 million worth of exports.