Furniture industry players urged to collaborate closely
KUALA LUMPUR: The furniture industry players have been urged to collaborate to achieve the RM53 billion export earning target for timber and timber products by 2020 under the National Timber Industry Policy.
Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said Malaysia’s timber and timber product exports rose by 6.3 per cent to RM21.7 billion in 2015 from RM20.4 billion in 2014.
“The industry players need to continuously innovate to retain their competitiveness,” he said at the opening of the Export Furniture Exhibition 2016 (EFE 2016) here.
The text of his speech was read by the ministry’s Secretary-General, Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai Uggah said the players should also enhance the ability to produce high-quality, creative and innovative furniture products in order to attract a wider segment of buyers, and to suit the current lifestyles.
Meanwhile, chairman of EFE Expo Sdn Bhd, Chua Chu Chai, has urged Malaysian furniture players to venture into solid wood furniture production to meet the huge demand from China, one of the biggest in the world.
He said traditionally, Chinese consumers treasured the solid wood furniture.
“China’s consumption is expected to grow by five to six per cent this year,” he said.
EFE 2016, organised by EFE Expo Sdn Bhd, has attracted 257 exhibitors, up five per cent from last year’s 245 exhibitors.
The four-day exhibition, startng today, is themed ‘Fine Furniture World Market’.
It is expected to attract over 9,000 visitors from 135 countries, an increase of ten per cent from 8,300 visitors in 2015. — Bernama