KUCHING : Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) aims to achieve RM8 billion in export revenue by the year 2030.
Its general manager Datuk Hashim Bojet said the long term goal is in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
In stating this, he has pointed out several main focuses such as enhancing the panel industry to generate export earnings of RM2.5 billion to RM3 billion, promoting development of engineered wood industry to add value to sawn timber from RM700 million to RM1 billion, to develop furniture industry to generate export earnings of RM4 billion by 2030.
Besides that, he added that STIDC plans to enhance the green biomass industry to achieve export earnings of RM0.5 Billion and develop the bamboo-based industry to generate export earnings of RM200 million to RM500 million.
Following that, STIDC has also identified some key focuses to boost the export market which would be able to facilitate investment and to develop infrastructure in furniture parks as well as promote investment in engineered wood.
He was speaking at the STIDC Media Appreciation Night at Riverside Majestic Hotel, Kuching on yesterday ( Feb 19).
Elaborating further, he mentioned that STIDC would like to promote investment in the bamboo industry such as plantation, manufacturing and R&D (research and development).
Therefore, in achieving this Hashim said that there needs to be a strengthening of management of sustainable raw materials from Licensed Planted Forests (LPF), and to develop mechanisms to utilize rubber wood in downstream processing.
Meanwhile, Hashim also said that the State government aims to develop a 1 million hectare forestry land to develop the timber industry in Sarawak.
“As of now, there is no shortage in producing timber; however we can expect more in 7 to 12 years to come.
“Therefore, this could decrease the pressure on our natural forest that we have,” he said.
Hashim also noted that he would like STIDC to have more collaboration with local universities and research institutes and encourage more community engagement programmes
Later in his speech, he took the opportunity to thank members of the media for their help to continuously support and assist in spreading information on STIDC.
