Exports of timber from Malaysia to the Gulf countries are expected to top US$270m this year.
According to a statement from the Dubai offices of the Malaysian Timber Council, exports to the Gulf Co-operation Council countries of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman will be up 12.8% this year.
The biggest GCC market for Malaysian timber products in 2004 was the UAE (US$130.2m), followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Oman imported the least amount, while Qatar, at 26.4%, and UAE, at 37.5% showed big increases. However, the biggest increase was in Jordan, where the value of exports jumped 96% to US$39m.
Malaysia exported a total of US$5.2bn worth of timber products worldwide in 2004. Figures for the first six months of this year are already showing a 14% rise compared with the same period last year.
