JAPAN: A Sarawak delegation led by state Forest director Datuk Hamden Mohammad, visited the Sumitomo Forestry Tsukuba Research Institute here to explore innovation in wood production in support of Sarawak’s green economy agenda.
The delegation’s visit yesterday (Apr 24), included representatives from the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS), Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), and Sarawak Timber Association (STA).
During the visit, the delegation was welcomed by institutes general manager Takahashi.
Sumitomo Forestry is a leading institute in forestry technology, tissue culture techniques, bio-refinery and research and development on carbon storage and nature.
The visit also included briefings on downstream research initiatives focused on enhancing the strength and durability of wooden materials, as well as improving the performance of wood-based boards.
A day earlier, on Apr 23, the delegation visited the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), where they participated in scheduled programmes including presentation on various wood research conducted by FFPRI, demonstrational experiment of wood structure and a visit to an experimental wooden house.
FDS said these visits is important for the stakeholders in the timber industry in the pursuit of adopting Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) technology, with an emphasis on automation and digitalisation.
They also said Japan, as the main importer of wood pallets, has inspired Sarawak for great potential of wood pallets and engineered wood industry to generate green energy in line with the Sarawak government’s green energy policy and the green economy — a vision championed by the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
