THE UAE is demonstrating renewed and steadily increasing interest in US hardwoods among the regional markets, according to the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), which conducted a seminar in Dubai recently.

Import figures have reached $4.3 million from January to June 2010, up by 84 per cent from the $2.3 million recorded for the same time period in 2009, thereby underlining the UAE’s position as one of the top American hardwood importers, according to AHEC, a leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry.

In line with this, AHEC is seeking to tap the burgeoning opportunities within the domestic interiors, furniture, flooring, kitchen cabinets, doors and internal joinery markets.

Leading architects and interior designers in the UAE attended the seminar titled, ‘Designing & Working with American Hardwoods’ where the wide variety of American hardwood species, their environmental credentials, as well as their importance in sustainable design were discussed. One of the major highlights was the participation of the delegates in a practical demonstration of the grading rules for North American hardwoods, which form the basis of every successful transaction.

Jude Akhidenor, regional director, Agricultural Trade Office, US Consulate General, said: “The steady growth of the UAE market is a positive market indicator that is driving activity among hardwood customers, manufacturers and all other industry players involved in wood trade.

“The impending uptrend in the regional wood industry makes this seminar even more important by providing the latest information on the industry’s global standards, trends and norms. I would like to congratulate AHEC on the success of this initiative,” he added.

The event centred around two key presentations, which were given by Criswell Davis, sustainable hardwood design consultant, and Bob Sabistina, hardwood technical consultant. Davis provided architects, interior designers, and furniture, flooring and joinery manufacturers with in-depth information on US hardwood, including their wide variety and commercial availability, and the potential they offer for design and end use in the Middle East.

Sabistina delivered an introduction to the grading of American hardwood lumber according to the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) rules, which was followed by a practical demonstration.

Farida Al Awadhi, president of the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID), commented: “The seminar offered an excellent opportunity for interior designers and other industry professionals to gain a more in-depth understanding of the unique characteristics and advantages of American hardwoods. Full audience participation in the activities also brought a unique opportunity to learn about American hardwoods first hand from industry experts, and we are glad to have partnered with AHEC on this initiative.”

In the Middle East and Africa (Mena) region, significant increases in demand for US hardwood lumber are being monitored, with red oak being the most sought-after species, the seminar heard. With a total export volume of 11,298 cu m in the first six months of 2010, red oak shipments to the region have grown by 18 per cent as compared to the same period last year.

“The activities we prepared as part of the seminar were designed to generate awareness and knowledge of American hardwoods, and I am confident of the major impact they will have on the capacity of companies who participated to adhere to global industry standards,” said Roderick Wiles, AHEC director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania.
“We are looking forward to a stronger symbiosis between AHEC, our member companies and hardwood customers and traders across the UAE,” concluded Wiles.