FEATURES
purpose , the Malaysian Timber Certification Council ( MTCC ) was set up in 1998 as an independent organisation to develop and operate the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme ( MTCS ).
MTC has always been promoting Malaysia ’ s legal and sustainable timber products . The Council has been working with MTCC over the years to spread awareness on the sustainable practices implemented in the timber industry and forestry sector in Malaysia .
The MTCS has become the first tropical timber certification scheme in the Asia Pacific region to be endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification ( PEFC ) since 1 May 2009 . The endorsement gives further assurance and credence that forests certified under the MTCS are implementing best management practices and contributing to the challenging efforts to achieve SFM at the global level . As of 16 November 2020 , Malaysia has 5.27 million hectares of MTCS-PEFC certified forest
How important is the timber sector for the country ? The timber industry is an important contributor to the Malaysian economy . In 2019 , it achieved USD5.4-billion in exports which is 2.3 % of the country ’ s total merchandise export and contributed 1.6 % to the country ’ s GDP . The industry attracted a total investment worth USD170.8-million in 2019 .
Based on global export rankings in 2019 , Malaysia is the fourth largest exporter of plywood ; sixth largest for both wooden furniture and wooden frames ; eighth for mouldings and 10th for sawntimber . Malaysia is also amongst the top 20 exporters of fibreboard , builder joinery and carpentry , and veneer .
Muhtar Suhaili , new CEO of the Malaysian Timber Council ( MTC ).