Govt to expand timber tech exchange with developing countries: minister

JASIN – The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry is expanding the exchange and sharing of technology related to the timber industry with developing countries, said minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.

She said this would include technology research and development, laboratories, management and sustainable use of forest resources, as well as the use of the latest equipment or machines.

“We have agencies such as the Malaysian Timber Council and the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), which have expertise covering various matters in this field.

“We have started with countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and India,” she said when met by reporters at a tree planting programme in conjunction with the National Month and Malaysia Day 2022 celebration at the Selandar FRIM Research Station here today.

At the tree planting programme, some 30 species of trees, such as kenanga, merawan siput jantan, janda merana, kasai, cinnamon, cermai bidara, petai, bamboo starfruit, honey starfruit, mangrove, and eucalyptus were planted.

Zuraida said the country's timber industry continued to record positive development with increasing demand for export.

“This year, wood exports recorded RM23 billion and we expect the amount to continue to increase from year to year due to increasing demand for our wood and furniture products from foreign countries,” she said. – Bernama, September 16, 2022