An upcoming wood and wood machinery show will gather buyers, retailers, wholesalers and industry professionals from across the globe, offering opportunities to network, said the organisers of the show.

The fourth edition of the Dubai International Wood & Wood Machinery Show (DIWWM) 2009 will run from April 21 to 23 at the Dubai Airport Expo.

Having recorded significant annual growth in the number of global exhibitors, DIWWM 2009 is also aiming to offer UAE buyers an opportunity to network with established wood products suppliers from across the globe.

The UAE is among the top four importers of softwood lumber in the GCC, who, along with Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have collectively imported a total of 2.8 million cubic metres of the product - equivalent to $576.6 million - in 2007, according to recent reports.

In addition to softwood lumber, the UAE and the other three Gulf states are also major importers of hardwood plywood, with shipments from the Far East region reaching a total of $199.1 million in 2007.

During the same period, the top four importers have purchased $193.3 million worth of medium-density fibreboard (MDF); builder's joinery products with a total value of $145.4 million; and 263,491 cubic metres of hardwood lumber, which amounted to $107.8 million.

In line with aims of expanding their network of trade partners in the global market, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions (SME), organiser of the show, has announced that it is expecting an extensive presence of UAE-based companies at the upcoming expo.

“The participation of companies as well as trade visitors from across the continents, speaks volumes of the relevance of the DIWWM 2009 to the international wood and wood working sector,” said Dawood Al Shezawi, managing director, SME.

“We have seen the importance of a steady supply of high quality wood products in the construction of property developments in the UAE, and it is our aim to give UAE-based customers access to high quality products from globally renowned suppliers.”

“It is our primary focus to reciprocate the continuous support of these local companies by improving the show in ways that can afford them more mileage in terms of international exposure for their products and networking opportunities with potential partners and customers,” Al Shezawi added.

“We are also eager to welcome the participating umbrella organisations as well as independent manufacturers, importers, exporters and buyers to this year’s show.”

Regarded as a high-impact launch pad for new products from industry-leading companies, this year’s show has attracted exhibitors from Australia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Malaysia, Portugal, UK, and the US. – TradeArabia News Service