Sajjad Ahmad, Deputy Business Editor

Portugal’s exports of wooden products to the UAE have increased manifold as more Portuguese companies seek to increase their exports with focus on luxury furniture segment, said Vitor Poças, President of the Portuguese Association of Wood and Furniture Industries (AIMMP) on the sidelines of the Dubai Wood Show 2023, which concluded on Thursday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Vitor Poças said that luxury and high-end Portuguese furniture products have always been in demand in the UAE with Dubai and Abu Dhabi accounting for over 50 per cent of the uptake.

On sustainability he said,” responsible material sourcing is key to make furniture sustainable from an environmental and resource consumption perspective. The idea of sustainability in furniture becomes a reality when high quality products are brought to the lives of people, who embrace a lifestyle with reduced energy and resource needs,

The AIMMP represents the Portuguese wood and furniture industry, which registered its exports’ record, generating over three billion euros in products last year. The body showcases 14 furniture manufacturers that offer an unparalleled variety of products of highest sustainability standards, proven quality and excellent designs. 

“The Dubai Wood Show has immensely helped Portuguese companies enhance their exports to the regional market. The growth prospects in the UAE and the Middle East market are very high and Portuguese brands are targeting the luxury segment of this growing market with the high-quality range of sustainable furniture products. We see huge growth potential for unique exclusive wood products in the region.

We are keen to expand our presence in the Middle East market,” he indicated.  “We ensured the furniture producers landed in Dubai for the Wood Show provided integrated solutions to satisfy the changing technical demands and creativity of architects and designers in the UAE. To match with the sustainable standards, we presented products and designs that reduced our carbon footprints in consumption of natural resources, in addition to reducing the physical footprints of our homes,” Poças added.

“We presented remarkable furniture products that were manufactured with an effort to maintain sustainability and reduce carbon footprint. Sustainable furniture uses materials with a minimal negative impact on the environment. Sustainable furniture is where we need to turn our attention. Portugal furniture manufacturers focus on production using wood from sustainably managed forests. This is how we set an example for future generations to take part in sustainable living,” he remarked.

“We see an accelerated demand for our products in the post pandemic market projecting growth opportunities, in line with the revival of the Dubai’s realty market. We also gained from the revival of the tourism market in the UAE, facilitating higher volumes of exports of branded and quality furniture products under the `Made in Portugal Naturally’ theme.”