Leading Associations to Headline Dubai Woodshow 20

Dubai, UAE, February 26, 2007: Leading international associations including the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (Eumabois), Asociacion de Fabricantes Espanoles de Macquinaria (AFEMMA), American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and Czech Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers Association (SVDSZ) along with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) are set to headline the Dubai Woodshow 2007, which kicks off tomorrow.

The announcement was made at a press conference today (Monday, February 26, 2007) at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. Dubai Woodshow 2007, the Middle East’s dedicated wood and wood machinery exhibition, will run from February 27 to March 1, 2007 and will feature new innovative products and technologies from 125 companies in the woodworking industry coming from over 40 different countries.

Speaking at the press conference, Dawood Al Shezawi, Managing Director, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organizers of the Dubai Woodshow 2007, said, “The support of these international associations is a testament to the emergence of the Dubai Woodshow as a true platform for opportunities and serious business for wood trade in the region. This year, we have extended the profile of the show to encompass a wider range of wood products, woodworking machinery and wood treatment methodologies, exploring opportunities identified in the 2006 edition of the Woodshow. As such, we are focused on cementing the Dubai Woodshow’s position as a unique industry platform catering to the booming regional woodworking industry.”

Dubai Woodshow 2007 follows on the heels of a successful debut in 2006, which saw the show doubling in size, both in terms of exhibition space and number of companies represented at the show. The second edition of the show will feature an American pavilion for the first time, in addition to pavilions from Europe, China, Italy, Canada, Germany, Spain, Brazil and others. Industry professionals visiting the Dubai Woodshow 2007 will also have an opportunity to attend the American Hardwood Lumber Grading workshop being organized by AHEC on the first day.

“Dubai Woodshow 2007 is being organized against a backdrop of increasing demand for American products as evident in the increased American hardwood exports to the UAE, which reached US$6.8 million in 2006. AHEC is coordinating the first-ever American pavilion at the show in addition to releasing the first bilingual Illustrated Grading Guide on American hardwood products. We anticipate tremendous interest as a result of our participation at Dubai Woodshow 2007 and look forward to further promoting and strengthening ties between American exporters and regional importers,” said Roderick Wiles, AHEC Consultant.

Eumabois, participating at the Dubai Woodshow 2007 for the first time, is the umbrella organization for 13 national associations representing the largest manufacturers in Europe of machinery and accessories for the Timber industry. Headquartered in Italy, the federation was founded as a voluntary association of woodworking machines and equipment manufacturers in Europe and it represents the leading European manufacturers of machines, implements and accessories.

Jose Menoyo, Director, AFEMMA said, “AFEMMA participated in the first ever Dubai Woodshow in 2006, and generated significant interest. Spain is one of the leading players in the European woodworking industry and AFEMMA, as one of the country’s largest organizations of wood exporters, has much to offer in terms of state-of-the-art technologies and innovative products for the growing construction and real estate sector in the UAE and the neighboring GCC states. We are looking forward to a highly successful participation this year.”

Dubai Woodshow 2007 has witnessed an expansion in the profile of exhibitors showcasing industry-leading products and technologies as more wood painting companies, wood treatment companies, wood flooring, and wood working software companies join the list of regional and international companies participating at the show. Business transactions to the tune of AED 23 million were conducted at the show last year and the organizers expect the forward momentum to be sustained in the 2007 edition, resulting in an increased number of high worth business transactions.