Dubai WoodShow takes off with more than 300 exhibitors from 55 countries and six country pavilions

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.

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.

This is part of the Dh1.56 trillion worth of external trade recorded by the UAE in 2016. The total volume of non-oil foreign trade in the UAE was about 232.7 million tonnes, of which 101.3 million tonnes were weight of imports, 112.9 million tonnes were weight of exports and 18.6 million tonnes was weight of re-exports.

Demand for wood, wood products and woodworking industry is expected to grow further due to the ongoing construction projects the value of which in September 2017 reached $252.7 billion (Dh927.4 billion),according to BNC Network, there were 7,531 projects.

“Dubai WoodShow contributes significantly to the development of the region’s economies in general and the interiors, furniture, manufacturing and machine tools industry in particular. It is participated by some of the most important global manufacturers,” Dawood Al Shezawi says.

According to a latest Ventures Middle East market research, the size of spending in the GCC countries in terms of home decoration and decoration rose from $15.5 billion in 2016 to more than $17.7 billion in 2017, giving the exhibition an added advantage as it brings together the world's largest manufacturers of furniture, wood products and furniture fittings worldwide to meet the Local and regional market needs.

A large number of businessmen active in the same field are expected to visit the exhibition, in line with the growth of trade and development.

Dubai WoodShow runs along with Dubai International Furniture, Accessories and Components (DIFAC), specialised in the field of furniture and machines for the manufacture of wood products and accessories. It also brings together a large number of participants worldwide. More than 300 exhibitors cover 17,000 square metres of net occupied exhibition space at the Dubai World Trade Centre, attracting the world's largest companies.
The number of visitors coming to the exhibition is expected to cross last year’s 10,000 visitors.
“This year, the exhibition is divided into two – Dubai WoodShow, which is dedicated to wood machinery and presents the latest world of modern technology and fourth generation technologies in the field of furniture and machinery, while the other – Dubai International Furniture, Accessories and Components (DIFAC) that highlights modern innovations offered by the latest major companies in the furniture and decoration industry. Visitors of the exhibitions are able to learn about the modern methods of dealing with the surfaces of furniture, Semi-finished fabrics and furnishings,” Al Shezawy says.