By Jacob Achoi
SERIAN, March 3: Furniture from Sarawak contributed only about RM2.94 million from the country’s total sales of RM13 billion last year.
In view of this, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Willie Mongin pointed out that there was still plenty of room to develop and promote the industry in the state.
He pointed out that the furniture industry has a great potential to progress, having enjoyed 15 per cent growth in the country despite the current Covid-19 pandemic.
“The furniture industry has a great potential, but looking at the scenario where the state is only contributing less than one per cent (RM2. 94 million) of the total sales of RM13 billion last year, there is still plenty to be done to assist them,” Willie told reporters after visiting Yun Ming Wood Industries Sdn Bhd in Siburan, near here today.
Together with him during the visit are officers from Sarawak Furniture Industry Association (SFIA), including the president Choo Hua Lai and Yun Ming Wood Industries operation manager Hiu Tsun Loi.
Willie said he was made to understand from the visit that SFIA were facing several problems and predicament, among them marketing and promotion.
He said unlike the counterparts in Peninsula Malaysia, where they enjoy facility like furniture city like in Johor, the industry in the state has none.
He also said the local furniture industry were also finding it difficult to cope with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0).
“From my visit today, the industrial player mentioned several problems and the predicament they are facing and this I will bring to the federal level so that the problems and predicament be understood and acknowledged,” Willie, who is Puncak Borneo MP assured.
He also said such problems would also be brought to the attention of the state government.
“When the state government is targeting a sales growth of up to RM6 billion for the furniture industry in the state by 2030, they definitely need assistance to achieve the target,” he pointed out.
He believed that the furniture industry can generate positive economic growth.
Willie also said he was satisfied with the standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance if the factory, and urged all the industry players to strictly comply with the SOP to prevent Covid-19 outbreak.
He also took the opportunity to tell the people to be vaccinated with Covid-19 and not listen to negative comments. -DayakDaily
