Construction sector is Gulf’s biggest consumer of wood, with Dubai serving as major trading hub for GCC, Iran & East Africa

Construction sector is Gulf’s biggest consumer of wood, with Dubai serving as major trading hub for GCC, Iran & East Africa

Dubai WoodShow 2015: “70% of GCC wood consumption is by the construction sector, 30% by furniture factories and carpentries”

Dubai, UAE, 26 March 2015: Dubai WoodShow 2015, the region’s premier timber trade fair, has revealed that the construction industry in the GCC region accounts for 70% of wood consumption, while the rest is taken up by furniture factories and carpentries, quoting the latest ‘Future Outlook of the Wood Industry in the GCC’ report.

The report concludes that Dubai serves as a major trading hub for the entire region comprising GGC, Iran and East Africa.

Exhibition Director of the Dubai WoodShow, Josine Heijmans, says the UAE is highly competitive in construction activity as demand outstrips production, offering greater scope for the import trade. According to the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), wood imports to UAE crossed US$ 629 million, with a steady annual growth.

According to Heijmans, the UAE is also fragmented with the presence of more than 300 wood furniture and joinery companies.

More than 500 brands, suppliers and manufacturers will be showcased at the Dubai WoodShow from 14 to 16 April 2015, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, over an area of more than 13,500 square meters.The show will be the biggest since its inception with a 25 percent increase in show size. Not only do we see a high percentage of re-bookings from previous exhibitors, the 2015 edition of Dubai WoodShow will also welcome many new participants from all around the world as well as new pavilions and delegations from Spain, Cameroon and Peru, among others.

Abdul Gafar, Manager at Farlin Timbers, a subsidiary of Farlin Group of companies based in Singapore, and one of the fastest growing material trading companies in the Middle East, says: “We will display samples of our products, such as Farlinplex Film Faced Plywood, MDF, Hardwood and other timber products. We have been participating in Dubai WoodShow for four years and we find it a suitable platform to boost the industry, build and maintain contacts with customers, and establish business relationships with local and international buyers.”

“Dubai WoodShow also helps explore new market trends and new products, and develop new marketing techniques. This will enable us to give a further boost to our business,” he added.

Abdul Gafar further said Farlin Timbers will also put on display building materials.

“On display at Dubai WoodShow this year will be a wide variety of products, including major timber types like softwood, hardwood, wood panels and joinery. Moreover, furniture factories and carpentries will showcase wooden products, including pallets, crating materials, and wooden furniture,” added Heijmans.

Elaborating on GCC construction sector’s huge consumption of wood, Heijmans said 70 percent share could be attributed to high usage of softwood products for scaffolding and concrete forming applications.

Amongst other leading exhibitors at Dubai WoodShow are PVS International, Saleh International, Homag Group, Chabros International Group, SIMCO Industrial Machinery Trd. Co, Cefla Middle East FZE and Biesse Middle East.

Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organizer of the show, said that the 10^th Dubai WoodShow gives access to diverse markets spanning the Middle East, North and South Africa, the Asia Pacific and the CIS, through Dubai.