Leading architects, builders, interior designers and decorators will be in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the kingdom's Wood Tech & Design Expo, which debuts in January next year.

Wood Tech & Design Expo is being developed by dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa, - the company behind the success of giant construction expo The Big 5.

The country’s first event dedicated to the wood industry will run from January 22 to 24 at the Jeddah Centre for Forum and Events.

It will focus on the growing potential of the wood sector, the demand for timber products and the supporting tools and machinery that can speed production and improve efficiency, said the organisers.

The launch of the inaugural wood industry expo was triggered by the climbing value of the wood sector in Saudi Arabia, which currently imports some $1.2 billion worth of timber and wood products each year, they stated.

“This adds up to significant opportunities across all parts of the wood sector’s value chain,” remarked Mariana Montiel, the project manager for dmg events.

“Whether you are tackling the 70 per cent of demand that comes from the construction sector, or grabbing a share of the furniture market’s nine percent annual growth, wood technology and design in Saudi Arabia is on the rise,” stated Montiel.

The Wood Tech & Design Expo will share many of the features that have made events such as Big 5 so successful, he added.

For starters, the two-day International Wood Conference will focus on the latest innovative, design-led wood solutions and modern wood manufacturing best practice.

A series of CPD certified workshops will also take place during the event, offering attendees expert training on project management, sustainable practices and construction contracts.

"Live product demonstrations and a special Hotel Solutions Zone will combine with a Sustainable Village packed with eco-friendly construction building systems and a specialist advisory area for furniture factories, all highlighting the diversity of wood products and their potential applications," said Montiel.

“Event features like this directly address the need for more information about new technologies and improved technical skills we’ve identified in the Saudi market,” he noted.

The Wood Tech & Design Expo, along with the International Wood Conference and the CPD certified workshops are all free to attend, but visitors must register to do so, he added.-TradeArabia News Service