Softwood Export Council members joined with the Southern Pine Council members under the American Softwoods banner to represent the US softwood industry at the third annual Dubai international Wood and Machinery show.  The Exhibition had another successful three day run the first week of February 2008.  The show moved into a much larger venue which allowed to a separation of wood, products and suppliers and the noisier machinery section.  Based on the nationality of the attendees, the show continues to draw from the entire Middle Eastern region, as well as India, Pakistan and neighboring counties.

SEC members and companies from the PLEA, the WMMPA, MITC, and the State of Oregon represented the western softwoods and secondary products.  The show traffic was steady and almost all attendees stopped at the American softwoods booth.  More than 2000 items literature, in both English and Arabic were dispensed and more than 170 qualified trade leads were taken by the SEC members at the booth.  Those leads were passed on to the SEC member organizations and are available from them.

The Dubai, UAE, and Greater Middle East construction markets continue to boom.  In Dubai, it seems like one large construction zone.  During the show it was noted that more than US$880 Billion dollars of new construction projects are set to begin in the UAE over the next 3 year.  An economic presentation at the Wood Conference made the point that immigration of people, jobs, and companies, not to mention the new demand for tourist and other vacation and resort facilities, will continue to drive the boom for at least the next 5, if not 10 years.

Judging from the questions and requests received in the trade show booth; there is strong demand for both construction and finish lumber.  Enquiries were received for Glulam beams, doors, scaffold boards, treated decking, packaging, finish and general constructional grade lumber.  An immediate opportunity for American softwoods would be in the secondary construction areas and applications such as interiors and external structures, as used in landscaping, pergolas, gazebos, decking and beach and marina projects, which in themselves are very large

The biggest problem that US suppliers have is the lack of knowledge in the market about US softwood species, grades and sources.  Much of the softwood referenced was for "whitewoods", since historically the product came from Europe and Russia, but the use suggested that any softwood species would work, since much of the use is for concrete forming, temporary housing or for cut stock and remanufacturing.  The movement of currencies and upcoming trade and tariff changes is changing the economics for wood products and the locals are looking for new or additional sources.

American Softwoods will conduct additional trade activities in the UAE, including construction and design trade shows, and is considering possible education seminars for softwood products later this year.  Trade servicing on a regular basis would also be added to the mix.  Updates to Middle East activities can be found at the SEC website, www.softwood,org/calendar