Malayisa’s Global WoodMart doubles in size in 2012

Following the successful inaugural show last year, the second Global WoodMart in Kuala Lumpur will be double the size and a day longer.

At the official launch for the 2012 event, the organisers, the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), announced that it would cover 2,000m2 of the KLCC Convention Centre, extending to two halls, and would run for three days, rather than the two in 2010.

MTC chariman YB Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said that, bearing out his organisation’s confidence in the potential of the WoodMart and its decision to expand, 20% of exhibition space for next year was already booked.

“We have also officially received the endorsement of the Malaysian ministry of plantation industries and commodities and all the timber-based associations of peninsular Malaysia,” he said. “In addition we have the support of partner organisations, including The American Hardwood Export Council and French Timber and media partners including the UK's TTJ and Euwid of Germany.”

The first WoodMart, he added, attracted 106 exhibitors from 17 countries, and over 2000 visitors, more than 300 of whom came from abroad.

At the 2012 show launch event, Malaysian plantation industries and commodities minister said the exhibition would be boosted next year by economic upturn and increased demand for timber and wood products in Japan for post-earthquake reconstruction.

Against the background of a fast-developing Asian timber production and manufacturing industry, he maintained, the WoodMart had the potential to become “the premier reginal event for conducting business for the international wood-based sector”.

“This would help put Malaysia on global map in terms of the global trading and marketing of timber products,” he said.