Finance World Magazine| Edition: March 2024

Interview
sustainability and positions the Middle
East as a region actively engaged in
eco-conscious woodworking.
Additionally, the Dubai Wood Show
facilitates access to a wide array of
woodworking machinery and equipment,
fostering technological advancements
and efficiency improvements within the
industry. Furthermore, the event’s role
in attracting investors and entrepreneurs
to the region amplifies the woodworking
industry’s potential for expansion and
economic diversification. In essence,
the Dubai Wood Show serves as a vital
platform that not only stimulates growth
but also projects Dubai and the Middle
East as influential players in the global
wood and woodworking landscape.
Q. Egypt has a rich history in
woodworking and craftsmanship.
How does the Cairo Wood Show
embrace this heritage and promote
it on an international scale?
Cairo Wood Show effectively bridges
Egypt’s illustrious history in woodworking
and craftsmanship within the global
stage and more specifically North Africa,
creating a platform that celebrates and
promotes this heritage internationally
as well as locally.
The event showcases Egyptian
woodworking traditions, including intricate
designs, carving techniques, and artisanal
craftsmanship, allowing local artisans
and businesses to display their skills and
products to an international audience.
This not only preserves Egypt’s cultural
legacy but also highlights its relevance
in the contemporary woodworking
landscape.
Moreover, the show often collaborates
with international and local wood and
woodworking experts and organisations,
creating a platform for cultural exchange
and collaboration. This helps Egyptian
craftsmen and businesses learn from
international best practices while
showcasing their unique contributions.
Overall, the Cairo Wood Show effectively
merges Egypt’s rich woodworking history
with contemporary woodworking trends,
promoting this heritage on a global scale.
Q. Saudi Arabia has been undergoing
significant economic transformation.
How does the Saudi Wood Show
align with the Kingdom’s Vision
2030 and its goals for diversifying
the economy?
Saudi Wood Show aligns closely with
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a comprehensive
plan aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s
economy and reducing its dependence
on oil revenue. Our exhibition will play
a pivotal role in advancing these goals
in several ways. Firstly, it promotes
entrepreneurship and innovation within
the woodworking and related sectors,
supporting the Vision’s objective of
nurturing a vibrant and diversified private
sector. By attracting local and international
wood industry professionals, the show
fosters partnerships, investments, and
business opportunities in Saudi Arabia,
contributing to economic growth.
Secondly, the Saudi Wood Show
emphasises sustainability and
environmental responsibility, aligning with
the Vision’s goals to enhance environmental
protection and resource management.
Through its focus on sustainable wood
sourcing and manufacturing practices,
the show encourages the adoption of
eco-friendly approaches within the
woodworking industry. Lastly, the
event promotes knowledge transfer
and technological advancement, in
line with Vision 2030’s aspiration to
drive research and development in
key sectors.
Overall, the Saudi Wood Show
serves as a valuable tool in advancing
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, supporting
economic diversification, sustainability,
and innovation within the Kingdom.
Q. What are some notable trends
in the woodworking industry that
these Wood Shows aim to showcase
or address?
As previously mentioned, Dubai,
Cairo and Saudi Wood Shows each
serve a unique dynamic showcase of key
trends in the wood and woodworking
industry, spotlighting themes such as
sustainability, artisanal craftsmanship,
46 www.thefinanceworld.com March 2024