Sarawak Timber Industry Exports Reach RM625 Mln In First Quarter Of 2025

KUCHING, May 28 (Bernama) -- The timber industry continues to be one of the main contributors to Sarawak's economy, with the sector's export value reaching RM625 million in the first quarter of this year, said Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

Awang Tengah, who is also the Minister of Natural Resources and Second Minister of Urban Development of Sarawak, said that out of the total, plywood products remained the main export valued at RM317 million, an increase of four per cent compared to RM305 million in the same period in 2024.

"Japan remains the largest market with an import value of RM359 million, followed by India (RM85 million), Middle Eastern countries (RM77 million), China (RM21 million), and the Philippines (RM20 million)," he said during the winding-up session for his ministry at the Sarawak State Assembly here today.

In addition to the conventional timber industry, he said Sarawak is also actively developing the bamboo industry as an alternative raw material source, with the state government targeting to expand bamboo cultivation to 30,000 hectares by 2030.

"As of April 2025, an area of 4,900 hectares has been planted by 17 commercial companies and 200 community participants," he said.

According to him, the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding last year with four other parties to develop a bamboo planting project over an area of 10,000 hectares.

The implementation will be carried out in collaboration with Malaysian Community Care Foundation Resources Sdn Bhd, Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad, Pertama Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd, and the Bintulu Development Authority.

"To further strengthen this industry, several local and international companies have already shown interest in investing in the downstream industry to produce high-value bamboo-based products such as tissue paper, packaging materials, textiles, and biochar," he added.

-- BERNAMA