Wood and bamboo business grows

KUCHING: The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) is teaming up with the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) to drive growth in Malaysia’s wood-based and bamboo sectors.

A recent visit by MTC chairman Datuk Wira Sheikh Othman Sheikh Abdul Rahman to STIDC highlighted the potential for greater collaboration between the two bodies.

STIDC general manager Zainal Abidin Abdullah outlined the corporation’s ambitious goal of transforming Sarawak’s timber industry into a RM8 billion export powerhouse by 2030.

This target is a key component of the state’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“A key focus of STIDC’s strategy is the development of the bamboo industry,” said Abdullah in a statement.

The corporation has invested heavily in exploring diverse applications for bamboo, from bicycles and biomass to pharmaceuticals and fashion.

STIDC operates two major nurseries with a combined annual capacity of 495,000 seedlings.

The Bamboo Community Project has also yielded impressive results, with 146 participants cultivating over 63 hectares of bamboo. Commercial plantations now cover 3,597 hectares across Sarawak.

Beyond bamboo, STIDC is also focused on the engineered wood industry and carbon trading. The corporation has organised workshops and benchmarking visits to boost knowledge sharing and innovation in the furniture sector.

Meanwhile, MTC chief executive officer (CEO) Noraihan Abdul Rahman said a united approach is essential to advance the timber sector.