TIMBER PRODUCT EXPORTS UP 4.9 PCT TO RM22.9 BLN IN 2024 - JOHARI GHANI

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- The export value of timber products increased 4.9 per cent to RM22.9 billion last year, compared to 2023, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

He said the timber industry is the third largest export contributor for agricommodity products after palm oil (RM114.4 billion) and rubber (RM33.7 billion).

Johari said among the export destinations of local timber products are the United States, Europe and Asia. However, according to him, the total number of bumiputera participation in the timber industry is still at a low level.

"Despite an increase compared to 2023, bumiputera entrepreneurs still contribute less than one per cent or RM44 million of the total export of timber and timber products.

"Most bumiputera entrepreneurs are still in the small or micro enterprise category," he said at the Bumiputera Empowerment Symposium in the Timber Industry here today.

Johari said the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) through the timber agencies namely the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), always strives to increase the competitiveness and involvement of bumiputera in the timber industry through the core policies and strategies outlined under the National Agricommodity Policy (DAKN) (2021-2030) and the National Timber Industry Strategic Plan (2021-2025).

He said the DAKN has outlined several key strategies to empower bumiputera participation such as fostering collaboration between timber companies, ensuring bumiputera entrepreneurs get sustainability certification and promoting higher local cultural skills such as carpentry, wood carving and local design for artisan entrepreneurs.

He said as the government's commitment to empower the participation of bumiputera entrepreneurs, the government through MTIB has allocated RM44.7 million under the 10th and 12th Malaysia Plans, to supply high-tech machines to bumiputera entrepreneurs.

The initiative involving supplying 319 units of machines has benefitted 175 entrepreneurs.

In addition, Johari said the KPK through CTCS Worldwide Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of MTIB, is in discussions with the Finance Ministry to re-establish the Bumiputera Integrated Furniture Marketing Programme for Centralised Panel Contracts (KPB).

The symposium organised by the Malaysian Bumiputra Timber and Furniture Association (PEKA) in collaboration with MTIB and MTC, was held following the implementation of the Business Engagement Session with bumiputera entrepreneurs that was held last year.

As a result of the engagement session, the PEKA Roadmap in the Timber Industry has been produced which will be used as a reference by the industry, especially the bumiputera timber sector.

The plan outlines several key strategies such as increased access to raw materials, human capital development, use of the latest technology, preservation of heritage and arts, as well as strengthening bumiputera micro, small and medium enterprises to the international level.

-- BERNAMA