Timber iQ December 2018 - January 2019 // Issue: 41 | Page 16

EVENTS
Malaysian Timber Council
launches maiden conference
T
he Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) hosted the
inaugural Malaysian Timber Conference on 18
October 2018 at Le Méridien Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
With about 200 participants in attendance, the conference
was a resounding success.
A landmark event under MTC’s calendar, the Malaysian
Timber Conference – with its theme ‘Towards A Better
Tomorrow’ – saw nine global timber industry experts
provide their inputs on how Malaysian timber-based
manufacturers can overcome the challenges they
are facing.
Solutions to raw material shortages, needs for
automation and tackling trade-related matters are some
of the key areas that were discussed and deliberated at
length by some of the sharpest minds in both the
economic and timber sectors.
The Malaysian timber industry contributes about 1.7%
to the national GDP, with export earnings of
MYR23.2-billion in 2017; and as at July 2018, export of
timber and timber products had reached MYR12.58-billion.
“There is no denying the contributions that the timber
sector has on the economy and Malaysia needs to ensure
that the timber industry maintains its relevance as a
viable economic contributor. As such, we cannot lose sight
of the imperatives that will sustain and enhance
Malaysia’s timber-based industry,” said MTC CEO
Richard Yu.
“The speakers from Italy, Finland, Switzerland and
Malaysia provided detailed takeaways on how to stay
abreast of the timber sector’s changing landscapes. The
global economic outlook; the timber demand and supply
worldwide; the necessity for certification which proves
that we are extracting our timbers in a sustainable and
legal manner; and the need to embrace technology in
relation to IR4.0 as well as commercialisation of research
findings formed the crux of the conference presentations,”
added Yu.
Established in January 1992, MTC aims to promote the
development and growth of the Malaysian timber industry
globally. MTC’s main objectives are to promote the
Malaysian timber trade and develop the market for timber
products globally; to promote the development of the
industry by upgrading the industry’s manufacturing
technology base; to augment the supply of raw materials;
to provide information services; and to protect and
improve the Malaysian timber industry’s global image.
14 DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 //
MINISTRY OF
The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) joined forces with multiple
industry experts to provide solutions to key challenges faced by
Malaysian timber-based manufacturers at its first conference.
Esteemed industry role players and international speakers
amalgamated under one roof at the Malaysian Timber Council’s
first timber conference.
"There is no denying the contributions that the
timber sector has on the economy and Malaysia
needs to ensure that the timber industry maintains
its relevance as a viable economic contributor,"
– MTC CEO Richard Yu.
MALAYSIAN TIMBER CONFERENCE
2018 SPEAKERS
• Alan Tan, chief economist at Affin Hwang
Investment Bank Bhd.
• Dr Ed Pepke, senior timber trade and policy analyst
at the European Forest Institute and associate at
Dovetail Partners.
• Peter Latham, chairman of PEFC International,
Switzerland.
• Sylvia Weichenberger, partner and senior expert of
the Centre for Industrial Studies, Italy.
• Dr Gan Kee Seng, director of Forest Products
Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia.
• Ng Kheng Joo, technical director and co-founder of
Novetec Innovation Sdn Bhd.
• Laurent Maillefer, vice-president, Robotics – ABB
Malaysia.
• Dato’ Nor Akhirrudin Mahmud, director-general of
Forestry, Peninsular Malaysia.
• Richard Yu, MTC CEO.
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