MIRI: The timber industry, one of the main sectors of the state economy, must venture into producing high value-added products such as engineered wood, furniture and bamboo-based products going forward.
In stating this Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) general manager Datu Hashim Bojet said productive LPFs or Licences for Planted Forests are equally crucial to ensuring sustainable supply of raw materials to support the industry.
Speaking at the STIDC 50th anniversary northern region level celebration here on Friday night, he said it is vital that LPF holders embrace transformation and automation to boost productivity and efficiency.
“At the same time, it is imperative to continue cooperating with STIDC particularly in R&D for product development,” he said.
Like other industries, he added, the timber sector was not spared from the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, causing disruption to business operation.
“STIDC feels empathy for the challenges faced by the timber industry during the pandemic period and post Covid-19,” said Hashim.
Last year, the northern region contributed as much as 74 per cent of the state’s total export value of timber and wood products.
“A total of 5,969 licences were issued in the northern region which is a decrease of 15 per cent compared to 6,991 licences in the previous year,” he pointed out.
However, the total export value increased by 5 per cent to RM2.9 billion compared to RM2.7 billion in the previous year.
Present at the dinner were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Minister of Transport Sarawak Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Dr Ripin Lamat and Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour,Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala.
