Dr Lim Reminds Forest and Timber Industry Not to Remain Complacent
Copyright 2001 BERNAMA (Malaysian National News Agency)
September 07, 2001
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7, 2001 - With the impressive achievement by the forest and timber industry, these sectors should constantly strive and keep on improving to gain a wider and bigger share of the world market and not just remain complacent, said minister of primary industries, Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.
He said that in 2000, exports of timber and timber products reached a high record of about RM17.7 billion, up 3.7 percent from the previous year and furniture sector (wooden and rattan) raked in RM4.49 billion (25 percent) of the total export earnings.
Plywood exports followed with RM3.8 billion (22 percent), sawntimber exports at RM3.07 billion (17 percent) and log exports totalled RM2.52 billion (14 percent), he said in his speech at the Timber Industry Forum (TIF) dinner here. Meanwhile, exports of veneer, mouldings and medium density fibreboard (MDF) totalled RM805.3 million (5.0 percent), RM895 million (5.0 percent) and RM823 million (5.0 percent), respectively.
"With this achievement, aggressive marketing efforts should be undertaken in view of the vast market opportunities both in the domestic and international market," he said.
He said over the years, the industry has shown its resilience in meeting various challenges both from within and without by closing ranks and supporting the government in finding ways and means of meeting those challenges.
"Being together also means that the industry car pool and optimise resources. This is the message that I want to drive home," he said.
He pointed out that to be effective, competitive and a major player in the global market, the industry must remain united.
"The quality is a must in order for us to gain a foothold and continuous recognition in the international market as our customer today has become more affluent and more quality conscious," he said.
He said research and development (R&D), product development and the creation of new products should be regularly and constantly carried out although R&D proves to be an expensive exercise.
In coping with increasing competition, raw material and labour costs, manufacturers need to continuously improve their productivity and production technology.
"Local timber manufacturers need to equip themselves with the necessary technology and quality management systems in order to supply products of consistent quality at competitive prices," he said.
Dr Lim said that in order to boost intra-ASEAN timber trade, Malaysia has initiated the establishment of the ASEAN Forest Products Club (AFPIC).
AFPIC is a regional trade club to protect the interest of its members, and promote the general business welfare of ASEAN in the global trade of forest products.