Malaysia’s wood-based industry needs to produce more superior products at economical prices, according to the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MITB).
In a report, the board claims that the industry needs to revamp its practices to fight off lower-cost producers such as Vietnam and China, as well as rising production costs.
It suggests that co-operation with other sectors and overseas’ partners will provide the best route to move up the value chain.
It cites Germany and Italy as examples of countries whose wood products industries have advanced via intra-sectoral links between upstream and downstream sectors.
The MITB claims that Malaysian furniture manufacturers rely too much on design supplied by buyers and imported technology.
