Leading American and Canadian associations to deliver keynote presentations at seminars during the inaugural Dubai Woodshow 2006

The prestigious event brings together leading players in the international wood industry from over 40 countries to showcase their premium products, tools and accessories for the region's burgeoning wood market.

Dawood Al Shezawi, Managing Director, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions said, "We are delighted at the huge response and participation the Dubai Woodshow 2006 has elicited from exhibitors and leading associations from across the world. This underlines the important role the Middle East market plays in the growth and development of the global wood industry."

The seminars were announced at a press conference held today at Al Murooj Rotana Hotel, Dubai and will take place on the sidelines of the main event on April 11 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Among the speakers is David Venables, European Director, American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) who will highlight the 'Opportunities for Growth and Tools Employed by AHEC to Strengthen Wood Markets Globally.' The seminars will also host a presentation by Sven Gustavsson, Division Manager, Quebec Wood Export Bureau, who will dwell on the topic 'Quebec and Canadian Wood Products for the Dubai Market.'

Happy Whitlock, Market Development Manager, AHEC said, "In recent years, demand for quality wood products in Middle East countries has seen an exponential growth, with the total value of US hardwood exports to the region increasing up to USD 45 million in 2005. This is fuelled by the construction boom witnessed in the region, particularly in Dubai and the UAE. AHEC has been at the forefront of this growth, promoting and strengthening ties between American exporters and regional importers. The Dubai Woodshow 2006 provides a unique forum for us to showcase our latest technologies and products and thus increase direct imports and improve our trade ties with the UAE."

Dubai Woodshow 2006, which makes its debut this year, will bring together in Dubai leading players in the international wood industry from more than 40 countries, looking to tap into the fast-growing Middle East wood market. The event will showcase products and innovations such as Medium Density Fiberboard wood, plywood, hardwood, softwood, veneers, timbers, parquet, laminates, finished wood merchandise and paper products, moulding machines, woodworking machinery and tools, accessories, components and auxiliary equipment.

"By hosting these specialist seminars, Dubai Woodshow 2006 fulfils its purpose of being an effective forum for regional and international experts to deliberate on advanced processes, technologies and products, and to discuss emerging trends in the industry that will immensely benefit the region's wood industry and the real estate and construction sector,"

Al Shezawi observed.

The event will also see the participation of organisations such as the Spanish Asociacion de Fabricantes Espanoles de Macquinaria (AFEMMA); American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA); Malaysian Woodworking Machinery Association; Federation of Indian Plywood and Panel Industry (FIPPI); Czech Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers Association (SVDSZ) and the Quebec Wood Export Bureau, Canada.

Jose Menoyo, Director, AFEMMA said, "Spain today is the third biggest player in the European woodworking industry and AFEMMA, as one of the country's largest organisations 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 neighbouring GCC states. The Dubai Woodshow 2006 presents us with an ideal platform through which to access this market, explore partnerships and alliances and showcase our quality equipment, machinery, tools and products for the Middle East's woodworking industry."