KUCHING, June 22: The proposed setting up of an engineered wood plant in Sarawak utilising timber from planted forests is expected to attract an investment of about RM120 million with projection to generate annual earnings of RM78 million.
This was formalised today in Melbourne, Australia through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and Woodsfield Glulam Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and Australia’s Tilling Timber Pte Ltd which was witnessed by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
STIDC was represented by its manager Datu Hashim Bojet, while Woodsfield Glulam Manufacturing was represented by its managing director Eddie Ling Lee Tee and Tilling Timber by its managing director Glenn Tilling.
According to a statement, the MoU paves the way for a feasibility study to be conducted on developing an engineered wood plant in Sarawak utilising timber from planted forests.
“The MoU is a manifestation of the State’s commitment to implement the transformation plan to promote high value-added products from planted forest material.
“It is also in line with PCDS (Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy) 2030 that aims to generate economic prosperity, social inclusivity, environmental sustainability as well as green development and carbon storage,” Awang Tengah emphasised in the statement.
With this collaboration and investment, STIDC will promote the use of engineered wood in housing and building construction in Sarawak.
Tilling Timber will be responsible for developing and securing the market for engineered wood products while Woodsfield will be responsible to transfer technology on engineered wood manufacturing based on its commercial production experiences.
STIDC shall facilitate the proposed investment and material requirements.
Also present to witness the signing were Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia Dato’ Roslan Abdul Rahman, Malaysian Consul-General to Melbourne Australia Marzita Marzuki, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Sarawak Economic Planning Unit director Datu Abdullah Zaidel and Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak acting permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron.
The Sarawakian delegates later proceeded to visit the Tilling Timber factory. — DayakDaily
