MTC, MWMJC partner Philippine Wood Producers Association to promote timber trade

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) and the Malaysian Wood Moulding and Joinery Council (MWMJC) have collaborated with the Philippine Wood Producers Association to promote timber trade development and establish timber trade standardisation between both countries.

The collaboration was inked in conjunction with MTC’s Market Research Visit to Philconstruct Trade Show 2022 in Manila with 12 Malaysian timber-based companies.

MTC chief executive officer Muhtar Suhaili said the council is reaching out to its trade partners within ASEAN to revive businesses and trade relationships that were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Philippines’ strong economic standing among the ASEAN bloc nations as well as its growing young population is a major business attraction.

“Its booming construction market, especially for the residential projects, offers much opportunity for timber industry players particularly for the interior panels, fittings, and furniture sectors,” he said in a statement today.

As one of Malaysia’s important export destinations in ASEAN, the Philippines offers significant export opportunities. Malaysia and the Philippines are traditional timber trade partners.

In 2021, Malaysia was the largest exporter of fibreboard to the Philippines amounting to US$23.1 million (US$1=RM4.73) and was one of the top five exporters of wooden furniture, particleboard, and plywood worth US$22.4 million, US$16.2 million and US$11.3 million respectively. The Philippines exported wooden furniture to Malaysia worth US$0.1 million in 2021.

Meanwhile, MTC has signed an agreement with Persatuan Regenerasi dan Kelestarian Alam to establish a mutually beneficial partnership to promote sustainable development among the youth.

The agreement is aimed at deepening collaboration on sustainable development programmes. 

MTC chairman Norrida Yusoff said these programmes would create a generation of Malaysians that know how to plant trees properly and in turn appreciate the importance of sustainable development.

“We are targeting youths to participate in this programme to make them aware of their  responsibility to care for the environment for the benefit of the future generation,” she said in a separate statement.

-- BERNAMA