To promote the development and growth of the Malaysian timber industry, the then Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) established the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) in January 1992.
The Malaysian Timber Council promotes the development and growth of the Malaysian timber industry. Image credit: MTC
MTC has been mandated by MPI to take the lead in trade promotion and marketing of timber products and wooden furniture globally since 1998 and 2012, respectively.
MTC CEO, Richard Yu, says that in line with the task entrusted by MPI, MTC has over the years organised the participation of Malaysian timber companies in timber and furniture pavilions in renowned international trade fairs. Plus, MTC has also promoted the Malaysian timber-based industry and products through marketplace promotional booths in targeted international trade exhibitions in various countries.
For 2019, MTC will organise two pavilions, one each for timber and furniture. The timber pavilion will be in DelhiWood, India from 13 to 16 March while the furniture pavilion will be in Furniture China, Shanghai from 9 to 12 September.
MTC will also organise the inaugural Malaysian Wood Expo (MWE) in Kuala Lumpur from 19 to 21 November. The MWE 2019, the first true coming together of top exhibitors in this part of the world, is jointly organised by MTC and Panels & Furniture Group of wood magazines.
Under marketplace promotion, MTC is targeting a total of 17 international fairs in various countries such as the Malaysian International Furniture Fair and Export Furniture Exhibition (Malaysia); Buildex Vancouver (Canada); National Wood Flooring Association Expo (USA); Korea Build (South Korea); Interzum Guangzhou (China); Japan Build Osaka (Japan); Bouwbeurs (The Netherlands); Batimat (France); Dubai Wood Show (UAE); World Build India (India); and Sri Lanka Wood International Expo (Sri Lanka).
“These activities will be organised and coordinated by MTC personnel from MTC HQ in Kuala Lumpur as well as our regional offices covering Europe, Middle East and Africa as well as East and South Asia,” says Yu, adding that MTC will open an office in the US later this year to cover the markets in the Americas.
Besides market development and promotional programmes, MTC will also organise a series of talks, seminars as well as conferences such as the second edition of the Malaysian Timber Conference to be held in July in Kuala Lumpur.
MTC will also organise a Technology Acquisition and Study Mission to Guangzhou, China from 25 to 30 March to highlight some of the latest developments in the woodworking and wood processing technologies to Malaysian wood products manufacturers.
A resource and business mission to Sweden and Finland for Malaysian wood-based manufacturers to source for spruce and pine is also in the works.
The second edition of MTC’s Overseas Suppliers-Malaysian Importers / Manufacturers Exchange Programme will be organised in November in conjunction with MWE 2019. Through this business-to-business matching event, overseas suppliers of timber raw materials are invited to meet with potential buyers and importers in Malaysia.
Regular publications and collaterals are also available to provide information on the latest updates in the Malaysian forestry and timber industry as well as on green development in Malaysia.
For more information on MTC and its programmes and services, visit: www.mtc.com.my.
