KUCHING: In order for the timber industry and the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to be competitive and sustainable the players need to embrace the digital economy.
This was emphasised by Deputy Chief Minister cum board chairman of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan,
during the opening of Sarawak Timber SMEs Expo 2019 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here,
yesterday.
“SMEs which represent 98.5 percent of the total business establishments in Sarawak are the backbone of the economy. Their full potential must be harnessed in order for Sarawak to achieve a high income economy. Sarawak has a relatively small market and therefore going regional and global is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the SMEs.
“It is timely for Sarawak SMEs to spread their wings and tap into a bigger customer base through e-commerce and digital platforms. SMEs must grow big and become global players through adoption of modern technologies,
creativity and innovation.
“This is the global trend and we need to change in the way we do our businesses. This is exactly what Chief
Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg wants us to do,” he said.
On the implementation of Timber Industry Transformation Plan (2015-2030), Awang Tengah noted that it is to ensure
that the timber industry remains important to the state economy and its sustainable growth.
The plan is to transform the timber industry from heavy dependence on the export of primary and secondary products to high value-added products by 2030.
Currently, the state government is in the midst of reviewing its forestry and timber industry policies in order to sustain the growth of the sector.
