The UAE emerged as the fastest growing market for German woodworking machinery, increasing its imports to 7.7 million euros, up 48 per cent compared with the previous year, the German woodworking industry’s organisation VDMA said.

It reported that exports to the Middle East crossed the 106-million-euro mark in the first 10 months of 2007.
VDMA and the German Trade Commission participated in February at Dubai Woodshow 2008, organised by Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions.
Occupying the largest space at the event venue, the 1,100 sq m German pavilion featured state-of-the-art woodworking equipment and technologies from leading Germany-based woodworking machineries exporters.
 “The woodworking machinery industry in Germany has grown to become a vital business, facilitating the production of high-grade wood products being used in the world’s most prestigious property developments,” said Dominik Wolfschuetz, marketing manager, VDMA.
The VDMA comprises 220 companies employing around 19,300 workers.
The UAE purchased six million euros’ worth of German woodworking machinery products in 2006. In 2007, VDMA successfully tapped into the tremendous opportunities with German exports amounting to 7.7 million euros.
The organisation is also looking into reinforcing the presence of German woodworking machinery in the Saudi market, which was supplied with 1.4 million euros’ worth of equipment in 2006.
In another wood business-related development, Danube Building Materials launched its ‘House of Wood,’ its new range of hardwood products, at the Dubai Woodshow 2008.
The company showcased more than 75 exotic and rare hardwood species at its stand including Snakewood, Birch Burl, Cocobolo, King Rosewood, Black Palmira and Olive.
As part of its global growth strategy, Danube has undertaken several expansion activities. It recently announced an investment of $15 million for the construction of three new manufacturing facilities in the Punan Industrial Economic Development Zone in Lianyungang Port, China.