By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 22: Sarawak’s Bird’s Nest Merchants Association urges relevant agencies to optimise and simplify the bird’s nest export procedures, easing the burden on an industry already grappling with severe theft-related issues and recovering from a temporary export ban.
In his speech during the association’s annual general meeting, its president Loh Siaw Kuei pointed out that reducing bureaucratic red tape and improving administrative efficiency would enable industry players to expand their businesses under a more favourable environment.
“This, in turn, will enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global edible bird’s nest market, distinguishing us from neighbouring countries and solidifying our industry’s advantages,” he said.
He noted that Malaysia’s bird’s nest industry has previously generated an annual output value of billions of ringgit, with over 30 tonnes of bird’s nests exported to China every month.
“Despite ongoing challenges such as Newcastle disease and avian influenza, these difficulties also present opportunities for industry transformation and innovation.
“According to recent data, Malaysia has exported 102.1 tonnes of bird’s nests to China over the past nine months, reflecting strong market recognition of our products,” he added.
Loh therefore called on relevant government bodies, particularly the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and the Veterinary Department, to further streamline and simplify the bird’s nest export procedures.
Meanwhile, he highlighted that while the edible bird’s nest industry here is still recovering from the temporary ban of exports due to the outbreak of Newcastle disease, it continues to face severe theft-related issues.
“Even more concerning is the presence of illegal traders purchasing stolen bird’s nests at low prices, further encouraging unlawful activities and threatening the survival of legitimate businesses,” he said.
He urged all bird’s nest farmers and industry players to reject illegal transactions and report suspicious activities to uphold the industry’s integrity.
On another note, Loh announced that following the lift of the export ban on edible bird’s nests to China, the association has successfully facilitated the re-export of 225 kilogrammes of processed edible bird’s nests to China without any additional export tax. – DayakDaily
