More than 10,000 quality trade professionals from the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region and beyond are expected to attend the upcoming Dubai International Furniture Accessories and Components and Semi-Finished Products Show (Difac).

The show, which will run from March 7 to 9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is being organised by Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions in conjunction with Dubai Wood Show. It will attract 300 exhibitors from 100 countries around the world, said the state news agency Wam.

According to Dubai Exports ‘furniture and furnishings - exports markets and potential’ report, the UAE has imported around $244 million worth of mattress supports, articles of bedding and similar furnishing in 2015 with the global value of imports exceeding $14 billion.

"This first edition aims at setting up a solid platform to promote the furniture industry regionally, to encourage communication between the different professionals from suppliers, manufacturers, trade association and institutions, and to enhance these economic connections," said Dawood Al Shezawi, the chief executive at Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions.

Exhibitors will get a chance to deal directly with key visitors and players from the wood industry, which will allow them to expand their professional networks and to create real business opportunities, he added.