H. E. Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi opens Dubai Woodshow 2008

The fourth edition of the event currently occupies 16,000 square feet of exhibition space, which reflects a 42% increase in terms of the show's total area compared to last year's show.

In line with this, the organisers of the show are expecting the visitor turnout to soar by 150% due to the increased participation of international trade associations and the seven national pavilions within the event's three-day run. In addition, the tremendous success of the show has driven the first staging of the Dubai Wood Summit, a two-day seminar, which is being organised in conjunction with the prestigious global event for the wood sector.

Prominent figures from the international wood sector present at the opening ceremony included Roderick Wiles, AHEC Consultant; Gianni Ghizzoni, President of Eumabois; Jose Menoyo, Honorary President, AFEMMA; Dominik Wolfschuetz, Marketing Manager, VDMA; Dr. Ing. Dario Corbetta, Marketing Manager, ACIMALL; and Dawood Al Shezawi, Managing Director, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organisers of the event. The distinguished delegation was also joined by other representatives from international trade organizations and leading local and regional wood companies.

Commenting at the opening of the event, H.E. Dr. Kindi said,

'The Dubai Woodshow 2008 has proven to be the ideal platform for regional and international exhibitors to showcase their latest products and leverage the booming wood and wood machinery industry. This year's show further reinforces its significant contribution to the global market by facilitating results-driven networking between UAE companies, wood trade organisations and the 25 international delegations. We are positive that this event will be highly successful and will yield outstanding results and possibilities for the wood industry in the UAE and neighboring countries.'

Set to host more than 120 international delegations and companies from across the globe, Dubai Woodshow 2008 has proven its significance as a definitive event for key professionals and decision-makers to gain valuable industry data and form significant partnerships with other global players. Featuring innovative technologies, state-of-the-art equipment and interactive seminars, the event has been recognised as the fastest growing exhibition in Dubai, with the show having achieved a remarkable 400% growth since its launch in 2006.

'The most anticipated event in the international wood and woodworking machineries industry has finally opened its doors today, and we are delighted to see many new and familiar faces who have come to take part in this momentous event,' said Dawood Al Shezawi, Managing Director, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions.

'Over the years, we have earned the high esteem of both private and government organisations due to the exemplary technological and industry advancements that are being showcased in the show, which we continue to accommodate as evident in the 42% increase in this year's exhibition space. We are also proud to have spurred the idea behind the launch of the first Dubai Wood Summit, and we would like to extend out heartfelt commendation to CMT for spearheading this initiative.'

Organised by the Centre for Management and Technology (CMT), a research driven global business forum organizer, the Dubai Wood Summit is designed to provide vital and up-to-date insights on the booming infrastructure and construction sector in the Middle East and its relevance to the global wood industry. The event, which will be held at the Crowne Plaza Dubai from February 4-5, 2008, will feature leading international and regional industry experts who will discuss global and local implications of current market trends under the theme 'Profiting from Infrastructure and Construction Boom'.

'With the current boom in the real estate sector and the growing demand for wood and wood-based products as building materials and decorative furnishings, now is definitely a perfect time to conduct a comprehensive forum dedicated to this particular industry such as the Dubai Wood Summit. We are proud to have served as a catalyst to this significant research-based movement, which stands as a testament to the strong influence of the only dedicated wood and wood machinery exhibition in the region to the rapidly growing industry,' concluded Al Shezawi.