KUCHING, May 15 (Bernama) -- Sarawak recorded a drop of nine per cent in its export of timber products during the first quarter of this year, at RM682 million compared with RM752 million in the corresponding period last year.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, also the Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, said Japan remained the main importer of Sarawak timber products, valued at RM387 million or 57 per cent.
"The other main markets are India amounting to RM104 million, China (RM46 million), Taiwan (RM29 million) and the Philippines (RM23 million)," he said when winding up the debate on behalf of the ministry at the Sarawak State Assembly today.
Meanwhile, Awang Tengah said to promote a green economy, Sarawak also produce and export wood pellets.
He said the export value of Sarawak’s wood pellets for the first quarter of this year was RM22 million.
"This is an increase of 118 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2023 which was RM10 million,” he said, adding that wood pellets are an environmentally friendly fuel used to generate electricity.
He said the main markets for Sarawak wood pellets are Japan and the Netherlands.
“Wood pellet products have great potential for the domestic market and exports because we have a sustainable source of raw materials. The Sarawak's timber industry players should utilise this," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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