KUCHING: The state government through the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) has proposed to establish Sarawak Design Centre (Saradec) to enable the timber industry and SMEs in the state to use designs for economic growth and improve the export of furniture and value-added products globally.
This was revealed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg when he officiated at the fourth Sarawak Timber SMEs Expo and the first Sarawak Design Conference and Expo at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here, yesterday.
Abang Johari noted that STIDC has developed what it called the Pool of Young Designers (Poyod) training programme as part of its effort to realise the Timber Industry Transformation Plan. Thus, the establishment of Saradec will strive to support the long term implementation of Poyod.
“Saradec is part of our plan under STIDC to groom and produce designers. They are working together with established institutions including Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia where they also use technology application for creating new designs.
“These designs must match the market needs. They cannot be normal designs that could be monotonous. They have to have various types of designs because the modern needs are based on new designs and creativity,” he told reporters after the event.
Abang Johari added, “So what they do is construct simulation and get the right computer-aided designs before transferring the input to actual wood. They have to depend on the content of the wood but basically they can use 3D printers.
“Once you have that, it is more efficient and you can produce high quality products which can fetch good prices. With the design prices, we can export them to foreign markets such as Korea, Japan, and even China.”
Responding to news concerning plywood companies shutting down, Abang Johari acknowledged the issue and he encouraged the industry players to shift to making value-added products.
“Previously, we supplied plywood. Now the market has changed and we have to focus on exporting furniture instead of plywood. Plywood is just a raw material used to produce value-added products. So the industry players must use plywood to design new products such as flooring. Utilise the lamination technology,” he said.
Abang Johari also denied that timber companies shut down because of stringent state policy and higher premium.
Deputy Chief Minister cum STIDC’s board chairman Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan clarified that the timber industry in the state has to make adjustments that require industry players to retool and upgrade their technology. They cannot forever rely on natural forests.”
