KUCHING: What the state’s timber industry has achieved up till now are the outcomes of years of properly crafted and well-executed policies.
In pointing this out, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was the founder of several policies to develop the forestry and timber industry in Sarawak.
“Most of Taib’s pioneering policies are still relevant and some of them are enhanced to ensure the effectiveness of their implementation,” he said during the 45th anniversary dinner of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here last night.
He said as a result of Taib’s vision, the timber industry has contributed to the economic development of Sarawak until today, which has also enhanced the well-being of the people as a whole.
“Many timber industry operators have also been involved in other sectors such as manufacturing, real estate, plantation, construction and service sectors,” he said.
He then said Sarawak which is blessed with rich tropical rain forest, and the commitment to preserve such natural heritage is manifested clearly in the state’s comprehensive forest management policies which encompass conservation and socio-economic considerations.
“Our forest management policies have been and will continue to be enhanced to endure so that our forests are always relevant to meet ever changing needs and expectations,” he stressed.
He said among the actions taken by the state government was to make it mandatory for all long-term forest licences to be certified under Sustainable Forest Management by 2020, including issuing 43 Industrial Forest Plantation (IFP) licences to meet the target of planting a million hectares by 2025.
“The harvesting of the industrial forest plantation in Sarawak started in 2011 with log production of 44,000 cubic metres. In 2018, log production from planted forest was about 1.72 million cubic metres and this is expected to increase in the years to come. With that Sarawak has the potential to be developed as a hub of planted forest-based industry in this region,” he said.
He said with the expected increase in the production of logs from the forest plantation, it is necessary for the industry to realign and retool their manufacturing facilities to process logs from industrial forest plantations as well as to optimize resources from industrial forest plantations.
“The industry must explore opportunities to produce higher value-added products like engineered wood, pulp and paper, bio-plastics, bio-fuel and furniture,” he said.
He said with the timber industry being a major contributor to the economic development of Sarawak and as an export oriented industry it is important for it to enhance competitiveness through innovation by leveraging on more structured and collaborative research initiatives and knowledge sharing, including conducting research and development with reputable research institutions both domestically and internationally.
“It is also imperative for both the forestry and the timber industry sectors to capitalize on digital infrastructure to enhance our overall efficiency. The industry can leverage on digital technology to conduct business transaction, product promotions, networking and data management which could reduce the costs of doing business and enhance competitiveness,” he said, adding that the industry also needed an innovative and productive workforce to stay competitive.
Also speaking at the same event, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also STIDC chairman, said STIDC will continue to carry out promotional activities especially timber-selling missions and participation in international exhibitions in order to strengthen and expand its existing markets as well as develop new markets for timber products.
“To enhance the efficiency of our service deliveries, we will continue to apply information technology to our work processes. This is in line with the government’s aspiration in leveraging on Industry 4.0 and the digital economy,” he said, adding that the work must be carried out with integrity, professionalism, teamwork, high discipline, good values, caring without misuse of power.
Earlier, Johari also launched Tanjung Manis coffee table book entitled “Powering Sarawak’s Central Region forward” in connection with STIDC’s 45th anniversary.
