Over 150 wood and wood products suppliers from more than 40 countries are exhibiting at a wood and wood products show that opened in Dubai today (April 13).

The fifth edition of Dubai WoodShow was opened by Dr Rashed Bin Fahad, the UAE Minister of Environment, and will run until April 15 at the Dubai Airport Expo.

Noted this year is an impressive number of first time exhibitors attracted by the shows’ long standing reputation as the number one and exclusive platform for sellers and buyers from the entire wood spectrum, including producers, manufacturers, process-innovators, logistics service suppliers, traders and investors.

“We are using Dubai WoodShow to simultaneously celebrate and cement the newly signed partnership between HVB and Arbros Forestry,” said Heinrich Ostertag from HVB (Germany), visitor over the past three years, and a first-time exhibitor this year in joint-venture with Arbros Forest.

Mohammed Akbar from United Emirates Metals & Abrasives said that the event provides his company with the opportunity to introduce its brand to the region and connect with their main target market: the GCC countries.

“We are here to create synergies, to build business networks, and to facilitate knowledge transfer,” stated Dawood Al Shezawi, managing director, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organisers of the event.

“This is why in 2010, we have introduced the Dubai WoodShow Forum, the first regional conference to echo & voice the wood industry leaders’ thoughts, the WoodShow Workshops to strengthen our local woodworkers’ skills, the WoodShow Roundtables to speed up buy-sell processes,” he added.

Enriko Caranza, chief executive officer of Ras Al Khaimah-based ItalConcept, and WoodShow preferred business partner, said: “I am confident that the show will attract a much different type of crowd this year.”

“The crisis has deeply affected buying patterns, customers have become more cautious, cost-conscious and more diligent in their purchasing strategy. I believe that the visitors this year come with a predefined purchasing agenda and target specific products,” he added.

Neil Koster, who flew from South Africa to represent Gulf Timber, said that he hasn’t had the time to rest but is excited to be here again as he will undoubtedly expand his client portfolio.

The UAE-based Surface Treatment Finishing Experts Building Materials, the sole and exclusive distributor in the Middle East of French surface treatment brands like Kremlin Rexlin, will also bring new technologies and optimum productivity in finishing processes at the Dubai WoodShow. – TradeArabia News Service