DUBAI — The 13th edition of Dubai WoodShow, which was inaugurated by Dr. Abdullah Bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Cabinet member and minister of infrastructure development, in the presence of 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 from the UAE and Dubai government entities, has witnessed a flurry of business activities amongst visitors and participating companies at the three-day international trade event.

“Exhibitions such as Dubai WoodShow are very important to our economy that showcases the latest technology, innovation in the industry,” Al Nuaimi said following the inauguration of the event. “The wood industry is a very important value-add sector in our economy and I am pleased with such a wonderful exhibition taking place in Dubai.”

The three-day international trade show that showcases the latest wood products, woodworking, machine tools and new technology, is participated by more than 412 exhibitors from 55 countries and includes six country pavilions — Canada, China, Finland, Russian Federation, Turkey and the USA.

Gabonese Minister of Forest and Environment Pacome Moubelet Bouyeba, said, “We are a major supplier of wood and this exhibition offers a great insight into our industry. I am amazed to see the wide variety of displays and offerings, products and services at the show that all stakeholders could take advantage of.

“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.”

Organized by Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, the event works as an industry barometer on the overall woodworking market and the induction of new concepts, ideas 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, “Dubai WoodShow provides an important gateway for wood and timber traders, woodworking machineries suppliers, furniture and joineries to take advantage of the latest technologies and innovations in the industry – which is changing very fast.

“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.

“We are pleased to bring more than 412 exhibitors from 55 countries and expect the visitor turnout to exceed that of the previous editions of Dubai WoodShow — that has created an important benchmark for the industry.”

Most exhibitors participating at the event expressed their deep satisfaction on the visitor flow at the event. Officials of the Russian Pavilion, Gabon Special Economic Zone, AHEC, SCM, Homag, Biesse, Cefla, GTM, AIMSAD and Chabros reported strong trade inquiries.

Parameswaran K.A., managing director at Hettich Middle East, said, “Hettich has grown four-fold in the last six years. We are bringing the latest product concepts and innovation to the market for the furniture and joinery factories to deliver the latest innovations at home for greater consumer comfort.

“Till today we were producing products, such as hinges, drawer systems and folding and sliding door systems. Now we have launches our door products and also opened a company in India two years back where we make wire baskets for kitchens, to keep oil bottles and plates. So those things are now made in India by Hettich. Because India is the biggest market for this kind of product we put the factory there.

“We also got factories in China to manufacture door locks, handles and hinges. So, we are spread wide. As a company with an eye on innovation, we keep coming up with new ideas and trends, for the furniture manufacturer using Hettich’s products. In these kinds of exhibition, we talk to customers, get their feedback, know what’s happening in the market.

“In 5 years’ time we will see the look of kitchens will change, where you will see a TV set coming up from the center to help people watch TV while cooking. We are continuously innovating.”

Raed Zuhier Damrah, manager of Wood Division of SIMCO Industrial Machines Trd. Co., said, “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. The advantage of being with SIMCO is that we are financially strong enough to undergo any face growth.”

SIMCO, a company that celebrates its silver jubilee this year, showcased new technologies-enabled and high-performance machineries that will boost industrial output in the UAE and GCC – at the Dubai WoodShow.

B.M. Ashraf, managing director of Mohiuddin Woodworks, said, the UAE-based company in operation for the last 25 years, is investing Dh70 million in a large saw mill in the UAE, as part of an expansion of the Dh100 million turnover company.

“We get logs from all over the world, Malaysia, Africa, South America and soft woods are coming from US, Canada, New Zealand and Europe. We mainly supply for the oil and gas industries in UAE and mostly all government works and ministries. This our 25th year. We are opening another saw mill in Ajman which will be our 3rd,” he said.

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. The number of visitors coming to the exhibition is expected to cross last year’s 10,000 visitors. — SG