The Middle East, the Wood Trade & What Comes Next
Fordaq brings together senior voices from across the global wood supply chain for a focused 75-minute live discussion on how developments in the MENA region are reshaping trade flows, logistics, pricing and opportunity.
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Date
6 May 2026
Wednesday
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Time
12:00 – 13:15
Central European Time
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Format
Live Online
Teams
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Cost
Free
Open registration
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Markets from Egypt to Saudi Arabia have long been significant destinations for European timber exports. Recent geopolitical developments are now adding a new layer of complexity — affecting port access, insurance costs, buyer confidence, and demand patterns in ways that vary sharply by country. This panel brings both sides of that conversation into the same room.
Why this conversation matters now
The situation in the Middle East is no longer just background noise for the wood industry. It is reshaping trade flows, redirecting supply chains, repricing logistics, and forcing both importers and exporters to rethink their short-term strategies.
Local industry players on the ground in MENA are navigating these pressures daily — often with a very different perspective from that of their European counterparts. This panel is designed to bridge that gap with frank, on-the-record discussion from both sides of the supply chain.
On the demand sideHow are buyers, distributors and importers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt responding to the current environment? What has changed — and what hasn't? |
On the supply sideHow are European exporters adjusting their pricing decisions, logistics planning and customer relationships in response to MENA market dynamics? |
The moderator
The panelists
The lineup spans the full supply chain — from Scandinavian and Central European producers to distribution and trading companies embedded in the MENA market itself. That geographic and functional breadth is deliberate.
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Ulf Gabrielson
CEO
UNI4 Marketing, Sweden
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Thomas Schauerte
Head of Sales
Ante-holz, Germany
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Matti Iso-Kuusela
Sales Director
Versowood, Finland
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Hassan Sinno
General Manager
International Timber Company, Saudi Arabia & Lebanon
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Ibrahim Elshal
CEO
Elshal Timber, Egypt
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Five panelists. Three European producing countries. Two MENA markets. One 75-minute conversation. |
Session structure: from diagnosis to direction
The 75-minute session follows a structured format designed to move from ground-level reality to actionable strategy — closing with a candid 12-month outlook from each panelist.
| Segment | Topic | What to expect |
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| Intro | Welcome & Geopolitical Briefing | A fast, energetic opening that gives all attendees a shared understanding of the current MENA landscape before the panel begins. |
| 1 | Situation on the Ground | Regional voices first. What is actually happening in Saudi Arabia and Egypt? How are buyers and distributors responding, and what has changed in the past 12 months? |
| 2 | Supply Chains & Pricing | European exporters on how MENA dynamics are affecting pricing decisions, logistics planning and customer relationships. Where the full trade flow picture comes together. |
| 3 | Growth Strategies | The most forward-facing segment. Despite the volatility, opportunities exist. Where are they, and how are companies positioning to capture them? |
| 4 | 12-Month Outlook | A candid view of where the market is heading — room for both optimism and realism — closing with a one-word sentiment round from each panelist. |
Who should attend
This panel is directly relevant for timber producers, exporters, traders and distributors with existing or prospective exposure to MENA markets — as well as anyone tracking how regional instability is feeding into global wood trade dynamics.
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Especially useful for
European producers and exporters selling into — or considering entry into — Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and the wider MENA region. |
Also relevant for
MENA-based importers, traders and distributors looking to understand how their European supply partners are assessing the current situation. |
75 minutes. Five industry voices.
One of the most consequential regions in global wood trade right now.
The session is live, interactive and free to attend
Register Free →