Saudi Arabia has recorded a 24 per cent increase in imports of softwood lumber during the period between January and July 2015 compared to the year before, said a report ahead of an industry event.

The 11th edition of Dubai WoodShow 2016, the largest trade fair for wood products in the Middle East will take place from April 4 to 6 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

Organised by Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, the event is expected to attract a wide range of trade visitors.

The study estimates that Saudi Arabia imports 1.07 million cu m from main European and North American exporters. Moreover, a Euromonitor international report predicted wood production revenue to achieve 64 per cent growth until 2018, amid rising demand from construction industry and households in the Kingdom.

The increase was mainly due to the construction growth and household wooden furniture demand in the kingdom, according to the event organisers.

“This increase indicates a strong demand in the Saudi construction sector as well as the household and offices furniture,” remarked Dawood Al Shezawi, the chief executive of Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions.

“The domestic demand for wood and wood products registered strong growth to cross SR11 billion ($2.9 billion). We are gearing up to see major deals at the next edition of Dubai WoodShow from the Saudi exhibitors and we also anticipate a huge turnout of trade visitors from the kingdom,” he added.

He emphasised that traditionally Dubai WoodShow attracted thousands of Saudi trade visitors who look at it as a close venue to have access to wood products and accessories of topmost quality.

The three-day specialised show will also feature key innovations in the timber industry including modern technologies and products related to wood processing, such as mortising, tenoning, treenailing, beveling, gluing and inlaying.  

Al Shezawi said lumber was usually cut from a tree at any stage to be mainly used in construction and paper.
"Dubai WoodShow will be a  perfect platform for suppliers, manufacturers and machinery companies to showcase their products, innovative technologies, production scenarios and large scale machinery to key players in the wood and woodworking machinery industry in the Mena region," he added.

According to Al Shezawi, Saudi Arabia is looking to open up products of all types of wood including hardwood, softwood, fabricated wood boards, bendy plywood, laminated planks, and treated woods.

“Against this construction sustainable growth in the kingdom, we will help manufacturers search for latest innovations in wood machinery over three days,” he added.

The 11th edition of the Dubai WoodShow is set to put on display all kinds of softwood products that are made of Cedar, Fir, Pine, Redwood; and hardwood products that are made of Ash, Birch, Cherry, Mahogany, Maple, Oak, Poplar, Teak, and Walnut.

“It is the premier destination for wood specialists who visit the show every year from across the globe. It has become the region’s only dedicated business-to-business meeting place for the wood, wood accessories and woodworking machinery industry,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service