THE production of timber from original forests has reduced by eight per cent to 3.2 million cubic metres from January to September this year.
“Meanwhile, the production of timber from forest farms has increased by 11 per cent to 1.3 million cubic metres in the same period,” revealed Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan during his winding-up speech yesterday.
He said this trend was expected to continue and Sarawak’s timber industry was expected to rely more on forest farms as a source.
“This trend requires the timber industry to re-tool by making use of new technology which is suitable with recent developments to remain competitive and contribute to the state’s economic growth,” he remarked.
The Urban Development and Resources (II) Minister said that this was in line with the state government’s policy to progress the state’s value-added industry, especially furniture and other value-added products, which had the potential to be expanded and marketed globally.
