UAE retail space to grow by 209% to 4.25 million M2 by 2010.  

The global plywood market is projected to exceed 73 million cubic feet by 2010 according to industry estimates which augur well for the capital’s Fit-Out Middle East exhibition organized by UK’s UMBi. The event is scheduled to take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on 9th and 10th November 2008.

“Real estate projects are the primary driver for plywood demand worldwide as the importance of plywood in the construction industry has grown multi fold in recent times, owing to its advantages over conventional wood, metal and plastic,” remarked UMBi Event Director, Chris Fountain.

Plywood is a flat panel comprising of thin sheets or veneers of wood that is being extensively utilized in the pre & post construction phase. In the retail industry in particular, there is extensive use of plywood in the fit out stage. The UAE is already experiencing a retail boom that is estimated to see a 209 per cent growth in retail space to 4.25 million M² by the end of the decade, according to industry reports. Thus the potential for plywood use in retail outlets is enormous in the coming years.

 “The GCC region has emerged as one of the major consumers of plywood outside USA and Europe while China accounts for more than half of total consumption of plywood in Asia,” said Mr. Fountain.

Demand from the region is expected to intensify in near future, with the boom in the regional construction industry.

Fit-Out Middle East focuses on the final stages of construction and development. Launching in November 2008, the show will run alongside the established Working Buildings Middle East exhibition and conference series, in order to deliver the right mix of senior buyers and decision makers from across the Middle East region and beyond.

Exhibitors will include contractors, shop-fitters, manufacturers and interior design agencies. Visitors will be those responsible for the design and function of commercial and  retail space, including developers, architects, designers, facilities professionals and operations managers.

The Fit-Out sector is directly aligned to the boom in construction now taking place not only in Abu Dhabi, but across the Gulf region.