MOHAMMAD ARIF HUSSAIN, entomologist at Masa, warns that termites could do extensive damage to buildings and their contents and the best time to tackle the problem is pre-construction. From the earliest times, timber has been used as a component of traditional buildings – for floors, walls, windows, doors and roofs.

Following its successful introduction in 2014, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has integrated a new American Hardwood Environmental Profile (AHEP) system into its website (www.ahec.org).

Despite an overall decline in softwood exports, the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) remains a key destination for American softwoods amidst the increasing demand within the region’s booming construction and housing market. Total exports of US softwood lumber to the Mena region reached a value of $20 million in 2015.