Malaysia’s timber industry must improve its competitive edge to become a successful global player in the international market according to deputy secretary-general Datuk Suboh Mohd Yassin of the country’s Ministry of Primary Industries.
His comments come at the same time as a new ban on Indonesian log imports to Sarawak, announced by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development (STIDC) Corporation.
Speaking at a seminar on incentives for the wood based industry at Kuala Lumpur, Suboh said heightened concern for sustainable forest management, China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation and Indonesia’s forest policies have added new dimensions to the international timber trade.
Malaysia’s timber industry currently contributes about 5% to the gross domestic product and provides employment for around 337,000 people. Suboh said this year’s export figures for timber and related products could surpass last year’s RM15.3b due to steady global demand.
The Sarawak log import ban, which affects logs without proper documentation, was announced by STIDC following Indonesian forestry minister Muhammad Prakosa’s allegations of Malaysia using illegal timber from his country.
