MTC targets RM44 million sales for Malaysian furniture at Furniture China expo

KUALA LUMPUR: As China’s demand for Malaysian goods grows steadily, Malaysia trades with renewed vigour to make good of this favourable situation.

The two countries have enjoyed healthy trade ties and the aim of achieving US$160 billion in bilateral ties by this year has further magnified all business endeavours. China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ development programme had led to firm collaborations on numerous planes and where the timber industry is concerned China is the eighth largest market for Malaysian timber and timber products.

In 2016, timber and timber products exported to China valued at RM846.8 million which was a 3.7 per cent increase from the previous year. Furniture remains the main export of Malaysian timber products to China in value terms, amounting to RM121.7 million which marks a 91 per cent increase from the previous year.

“China, being the second largest economy in the world, is playing an increasingly important role in the global economy. The trade and investment relationship between China and Malaysia have demonstrated a healthy growth over the years, and it is a vital relationship to maintain as China is Malaysia’s 8th largest importer of timber and timber products in 2016,” said Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) chairman Datuk Gooi Hoe Hin.

The China International Furniture Expo or Furniture China is one of the world’s leading B2B trade fairs organized by the China National Furniture Association and Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo International Exhibition Co Ltd.

Photo shows visitors at a previous China International Furniture Expo. Last year, Malaysian exhibitors recorded both confirmed and potential sales of RM40.03 million at the expo and this year’s sales target is RM44 million.