KUCHING: The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) remains dedicated to enhancing the quality of Sarawak’s timber industry by regularly conducting Timber Industry Update sessions with its industry partners.
According to a media statement by STIDC, general manager Zainal Abidin Abdullah explained that the objective of the Industry Update is to inform and engage industry players about STIDC’s ongoing initiatives to leverage digital technology to improve efficiency and transparency in its service delivery.
“The briefing covers three key topics: the application and issuance of Timber Industry Licences via the Timber Industry Regulatory and Compliance System (TRACE), the online process for requesting physical inspections of imported timber products, and upgrades to the e-permit 2.0 system for issuing export and import licences.”
He added that STIDC has issued the Timber Industry Licences (TIL) to replace Registration Certificates and Sawmill Licences since June 1 last year.
“This aligns with the approved amendment to the STIDC Ordinance by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in November 2022.
“Therefore, STIDC is now empowered under Section 5 of the STIDC Ordinance to issue Timber Industry Licences to companies involved in activities as local traders, importers, exporters, and manufacturers of timber products.”
Furthermore, he said the provision for issuing Registration Certificates in the STIDC Ordinance has been repealed; STIDC has also ceased issuing sawmill licenses under Section 62 of the Forest Ordinance following the delegation of power from the Director of Forests.
“STIDC has developed TRACE (Timber Regulatory and Compliance System), an online platform for applying and issuing Timber Industry Licences, which will also manage company data, integrate grading, e-permit, and eFAS, and streamline industry processes.
“By Jan 1, 2025, STIDC aims to process 100% of FPX payments through TRACE to enable online payments, with the system also generating payment advice, receipts, and updates, while approximately 70% of the industry has already adopted the online FPX payment method for Timber Industry Licences,” Zainal Abidin added.
In addition to TRACE, the briefings covered the online module for applying for physical inspections of timber and timber products, which now must be inspected by STIDC at the port of entry before release, a process that was previously manual; similar briefings were held in Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri on Sept 4, 5 and 6.
