KUCHING: Sarawak is targeting RM8 billion in annual exports value of timber products including furniture by 2030.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state’s forestry sector would give more emphasis on downstream products with high added value such as engineered wood and furniture.
“Sarawak’s timber industry is the fourth most important export commodity sector after petroleum and petroleum products, gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and palm oil.
“The state is rich in sustainably managed tropical forest resources and can produce wood products including furniture that can support Sarawak’s position as one of the largest producers in the export market.
“The furniture industry in Indonesia has already developed, is far ahead and has penetrated the international market.
“As such, I welcome investors from Indonesia to invest in our furniture industry or any other timber-related industries, either on their own or through joint ventures or partnerships, with our local industries,” he said during a certificate presentation ceremony for Sarawak SayD’Signers Training held at Hotel Pullman, Bandung, Indonesia on Tuesday (Nov 6).
His text of the speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Abang Johari also expressed pride in the success of the programme in producing young designers who are much needed to help develop the furniture industry in Sarawak.
The SayD’signers Sarawak programme has produced 26 young designers who have completed training at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)
“This programme will be able to educate and train graduates from university to become furniture designers who can reach world-class stage.
“I had the opportunity to see for myself the prototypes of the chair designs produced by SayD’Signers during training at ITB.
“Indeed, those designs and the furniture that has been produced are very impressive and of world-class quality.
“I urge the SayD‘Signers to actively participate in the furniture international award to achieve global recognition and market acceptance,” he said.
Among those present was Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya; the Consul-General Republic of Indonesia in Kuching Raden Sigit Witjaksono; Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) advisor Datuk Naroden Majais and Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) general manager Datuk Hashim Bojet.
