STIDC committed to boosting timber industry via Industry Update sessions

KUCHING (Sept 12): The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) is committed to improving the quality of the industry in Sarawak by continuing to hold Timber Industry Update sessions with its industry partners.

Its general manager Zainal Abidin Abdullah in a statement explained that the objective of this Industry Update is to inform and engage with industry players on the continuous improvement initiatives undertaken by STIDC.

He revealed the initiatives by STIDC include capitalising on digital technology to enhance efficiency and transparency in its delivery services.

“The briefing focuses on three important subjects: The application and issuance of Timber Industry Licenses using the Timber Industry Regulatory and Compliance System (TRACE); the online application for physical inspection of imported timber products; and the enhancement of the online system for the issuance of export and import licenses or e-permit 2.0.

“Since June 1, 2023, STIDC has issued Timber Industry Licenses (TIL) to replace Registration Certificates and Sawmill Licenses. This aligns with the approved amendment to the STIDC Ordinance by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in November 2022,” he elaborated.

Zainal Abidin said under the approved revision, STIDC has been vested with the power under Section 5 of the STIDC Ordinance to issue Timber Industry Licenses for companies undertaking activities as local traders, importers, exporters and manufacturers of timber products.

“The provision for the issuance of Registration Certificates in the STIDC Ordinance has been repealed.

“At the same time, STIDC has stopped issuing sawmill licenses under Section 62 of the Forest Ordinance through the delegation of power from the Director of Forests.

“Currently, STIDC has developed a system called TRACE, which will enable online application and issuance of Timber Industry Licenses.

“This system will also manage the data of companies issued with Timber Industry Licenses, integrating grading, e-permit and eFAS to facilitate the industry without many hassles,” he added.

Zainal Abidin disclosed that by Jan 1, 2025, STIDC aims to process 100 per cent of FPX payments through TRACE to facilitate online payments, and that payment advice, receipts and updates can be generated via the system.

To date, about 70 per cent of the industry has used the online FPX payment method to pay for Timber Industry Licenses.

Apart from TRACE, there were also briefings on the online module to apply for physical inspection of timber and timber products.

Any imported timber or timber products entering Sarawak must be inspected by STIDC at the port of entry before the consignment can be released. Previously, this process was done manually.

Prior to this, similar briefings were held in Sibu on Sept 4 with 89 participants; in Bintulu on Sept 5 with 96 participants; and in Miri on Sept 6 with 93 participants.