MEXICO - On Wednesday, January 27, 2021, Director-General of the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) León Jorge Castaños and Hannover Fairs México CEO Bernd Rohde signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the coordination of joint actions to foster stronger ties between the country’s forestry community and suppliers of woodworking machinery, technology and supplies.

The Memorandum also provides for training initiatives and the promotion of the forestry sector’s activities at the next four editions of MEM Industrial–Tecno Mueble Internacional, the leading woodworking and furniture tradeshow in Mexico and Latin America, whose 2021 edition will take place at Expo Guadalajara, Jalisco, on August 18-21.

According to Castaños, “the agreement will build on the partnership initiated last year, whose purpose is to strengthen and professionalize the country’s forestry community by providing access to specialized know-how and new-generation technologies, and national and international contacts that foster business and the development of micro, small and mid-size companies operating in the forestry sector.”

Likewise, Rohde said that “the Memorandum will enable MEM Industrial–Tecno Mueble Internacional to continue promoting the sustainability of Mexico’s forestry sector and its professionalization and internationalization, while showcasing the quality of the industry’s products.”

“The agreement will have a term of four years,” said CONAFOR Coordinator for Mexico City Palmira Arnaz Durán, adding that “it will not only help strengthen ties with MEM Industrial-Tecno Mueble Internacional, but we will be jointly promoting events like Expo MEXIFORMA that are strategic to the forestry sector.”

According to MEM Industrial-Tecno Mueble Internacional Director Azul Ogazón, “the tradeshow is a cornerstone of the forestry, woodworking and furniture sectors and the agreement marks an important step in the right direction in that it facilitates dialogue and cooperation between companies and the sector’s leading government institution. Sustainability will be one of the central themes of the 2021 edition, where we will be sharing innovations, best practices and new technologies for the sector shoulder to shoulder with CONAFOR.”

CONAFOR participated in the 2020 edition of MEM Industrial with a pavilion at the “Forestry Technology” section and had a strong presence in the event’s conference and seminar program.