The forums, also including a Dutch timber company, were held in parallel with high-level negotiations between the EU and the Malaysian government on a deal that could guarantee sustainable timber imports from the country.
Forums, organised by The Timber Trade Federation (TTF), Dutch Timber Trade Association and Malaysian Timber Council, were held in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu and comprised discussions of how Malaysian producers can meet the requirements of the changing European market, plus business networking opportunities.
Andy Roby, the TTF’s head of environment and corporate social responsibility policy, said new EU legislation and public and private sector purchasing policies now required legal and sustainable timber. He said Malaysian companies needed to meet the requirements or could face exclusion from the European market.
The week-long EU/Malaysian government discussions were conducted as part of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) action plan. The intention is for Malaysia to sign up to a voluntary licensing scheme under FLEGT.
Further talks will be held later this year.
