By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING May 17: Deputy Premier Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan calls on investors and industry players to explore the potential of the engineered wood industry in Sarawak.
In making this call, Awang Tengah added that it is a new opportunity for Licensed Planted Forest (LPF) licence holders in Sarawak to produce suitable and sustainable materials for this industry.
“Even bamboo can be considered a suitable material for engineered wood products, he said in his speech at the closing of International Conference on Engineered Wood Sarawak 2023 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) which was officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg heretoday.
The conference was held from May 16 to May 17.
Awang Tengah who is also the Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development noted engineered wood has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by replacing cement and steel in building construction.
“It is a sustainable and green construction material as it can store carbon and has a lower carbon footprint, which is in line with the current global agenda to address climate change and promote green products to achieve environmental sustainability.
“Promoting engineered wood in the construction and building industry is also in tandem with the government’s aspiration in PCDS2030 (Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy) to ensure environmental sustainability,” he said.
Also present were Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Permanent Secretary Datu Zaidi Mahdi and Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) General Manager Datu Hashim Bojet. — DayakDaily
