THE performance of Sarawak’s timber industry for the third quarter of 2022 showed an increase in export value of 4.5 per cent to RM3.05bil compared to RM2.92bil in the same period in 2021.
Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said Japan remained the main importer of Sarawak timber products, contributing as much as RM1.88bil or 62 per cent of the total export value for the third quarter of 2022.
In terms of products, he said plywood showed an increase in value export (2.5 per cent) for the third quarter, 2022 to RM1.67bil compared to RM1.63bil for the third quarter, 2021.
“The government remains committed to increasing the value of exports by encouraging more production of high value-added products such as furniture and wood engineering products as well intensify research and development (R&D) efforts.
“It is hoped that this rate of increase can be maintained until the end of 2022 and the future of the timber industry continues to contribute to the socioeconomic development of Sarawak,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) on today (Dec 1).
In the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, he said the Sarawak government was committed to increasing the value of export earnings of wood products to RM8bil a year by 2030.
He said the export target focused on the production of high value-added products such as furniture, engineered wood and glulam and products based on bamboo, as well as intensifying research efforts and product development.
Accordingly, he said the government through relevant agencies would continue to help the industry to provide necessary facilities.
“This includes furniture testing laboratories, sites industries such as Furniture Park in Demak Laut and Tanjung Manis as well as continue to increase R&D collaboration with local educational institutions, research institutes and industry players to develop value-added products that are more competitive.”
