By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Feb 27: In view of the vast potential for furniture manufacturing and higher global demand, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) has been urged to work with timber industry players and investors to establish a furniture city in Sarawak.
Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan believed that there are vast potential that timber industry players can tap in view of the declining value of exports for timber products.
The Deputy Chief Minister observed that the demand for high value added products such as furniture promises good markets in the global market.
“The timber industry needs foreign investments. Today, we have received many foreign parties who are interested to invest in Sarawak.
“We need to take this opportunity to attract them to set up investments in Sarawak as part of our effort to fast track our high value added industry.
“Therefore, I urge STIDC to be more proactive and aggressive so that this opportunity will not be missed.
“STIDC should continuously explore the possibility to collaborate with local industry players and foreign investors to establish a furniture city in Sarawak.
“This effort will enable Sarawak to transform the current downstream industry to produce high value added products in future.
“This will be in tandem with our target to achieve RM6 billion export of furniture products by 2030,“ said Awang Tengah during a special gathering at STIDC’s theatrette here today.
Among those present during the special gathering were Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister of Urban Development and Resources Datu Len Talif Salleh and staff of STIDC. — DayakDaily
