Malaysian wood products exports on track for another good year
Publish Time: 2017-12-21 Origin: Site
The value of wood product exports shipped from Malaysia jumped from RM20.79 billion in 2014 to RM22.15 billion in 2015 before taking a slight dip last year to RM22.11 billion. The domestic market in 2016 was worth another RM18 billion bringing the total value of output to around RM40 billion.
For 2017, the value of wood product exports up to June was RM11.5 billion with Japan and the US being the main markets followed by India, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, United Kingdom, China, Taiwan P.o.C and Thailand.
Furniture and other added value products accounted for the highest proportion of 2017 followed by semi-finished products such as plywood, sawn timber and wood chips.
MTCC welcomes mandatory certification in Sarawak
In related news, the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) has welcomed the move by the Sarawak State government for mandatory forest certification in the state.
In applauding the commitment by Sarawak, MTCC Chief Executive, Yong Teng Koon, said forest certification is an important instrument to promote and verify the implementation of sustainable forest management towards safeguarding environmental, social and economic benefits.
Timber concessionaires in Sarawak will be required to obtain forest management certification under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) to demonstrate that the forest is responsibly managed.