STA Council celebrates 100th meeting
KUCHING: The Sarawak Timber Association (STA) has reached a milestone yesterday, celebrating the 100th meeting of its Council from the time of STA’s re-structuring exercise in 1988.
STA began as a modest organisation since its formation on August 7, 1971 in Sibu by three founding members, the Fourth Division Timber Merchants Association, the First and Second Division Sawmillers’ Association and the Third Division and Bintulu District Sawmillers’ Association as an umbrella association for smaller associations based on Divisions to look after the interest of the timber industry and serve as a vehicle to liaise with the Government.
In 1988, STA had undergone a re-structuring exercise for the associations under STA membership then to come together and form a single association, STA. In the same year, STA also moved its headquarter from Sibu to Kuching and more members started to join STA.
Today, STA has approximately 380 members and is the only timber association in Sarawak representing both the upstream and downstream activities of the timber industry and its subsequent trade.
The STA Council comprising prominent and experienced businessmen in Sarawak have helped STA to achieve its objectives in the past 30 years since the re-structuring in 1988 which includes promoting the practice of sustainable forest management, assisting producers, buyers and investors to network, conducting training and research, as well as supporting community and welfare service projects.
Over the years, the timber industry has made significant contribution towards the economy and development of the State. Currently, the timber industry is facing many significant challenges and STA would like to call upon the government to facilitate by implementing conducive policies for the benefit of both the people and the state of Sarawak.
The STA Council promises to lead STA for future growth in line with the objectives of the timber industry of Sarawak.