Sustainability in wood industry major highlight on Day 2 of Dubai WoodShow 2015

Strong presence of USA, Canada, Sweden, Malaysia and China in show

Dubai, UAE, 15th April 2015

Sweden exports 3 million cubic meters of wood to MENA region valued at Euro 750 million. One fourth of this export goes to the UAE estimated at Euro 187.5 million, underlining the position of the UAE market as a re-export centre, according to Jan Soderlind, International Director of Swedish Wood.

Exhibitors from USA, Canada, Malaysia and China have displayed a wide array of latest wood products from these countries and met with potential customers visiting the show.

The Swedish presence, at the leading wood show, which is an annual meeting point for producers, manufacturers, importers, exporters, dealers, suppliers and end-users and other players in the wood industry, represents 70 percent of the total producers of Swedish wood.

Soderlind added this is the second participation of the Swedish pavilion at the show representing a wide array of companies that boast a great legacy in producing wood.

He added: "We look at the UAE as a hub to boost our exports of wood to all over the region. We compete with Russia and Finland in exporting wood to the Middle East. The Sweden products are of very high quality as they follow high-end technologies in terms of cutting. We are the second largest producers of wood in Europe, after Germany, with a production capacity of 17 million cubic meters. However, our domestic consumption does not exceed 5 million cubic meters, leaving 12 million cubic meters for exports which makes us the biggest wood exporter in Europe. MENA region takes one-fourth of that surplus (3 million cubic meters)."

"Dubai WoodShow 2015 has a strong participation of global exhibitors, representatives of associations and commercial boards, as well as a large number of visitors, including architects, interior designers, furniture manufacturers," said Josine Heijmans, Exhibition Director of the Dubai WoodShow.

Sustainability dominated in importance on day two, with many companies showcasing their advanced technologies and solutions in this ever evolving field.

The demand for hardwood in the Middle East is high, being a major timber consuming market, where wood is used in real estate projects as an alternative to other building materials that were prevalent in the past.

Heijmans added: "The UAE is a major hub for the timber trade in Gulf region through Dubai. Sustainability was a major highlight on the second day of Dubai Woodshow 2015 where products being showcased in the exhibition included wood, woodworking machinery, blades, knives, tools, abrasives and other related products."

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© Press Release 2015