MATRADE: Malaysian-Made Furniture Expands Globally

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s furniture industry continues to expand its share of the global market, ranking among the top 10 largest furniture exporters globally with about 80 per cent of its production being delivered abroad. The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) said the industry’s tremendous growth was built on a strong manufacturing foundation with skilled workers, excellent design capabilities and good manufacturing practices. MATRADE statistics in 2020 shows that the industry exports was valued at RM12.86 billion or a double-digit increase of 15.5 per cent compared to that of the previous year. “A variety of local plantation wood, including rubber wood, are used in the manufacturing process along with mixed materials and other imported temperate and tropical timbers to create designs that are both functional and appealing. “The furnishings comprise mainly bedroom, living room and kitchen wooden furniture, as well as seats, wooden furniture components and furniture of other materials,” MATRADE said in a statement today. It said Malaysian-made furniture is exported to over 160 countries, including the United States, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and the United Kingdom, with great potential for export to the Scandinavian countries, Central Europe, South America, South Korea, and South Asia. The industry, which is among the most innovative and trendy with highly durable products, also creates a niche in the green furniture segment, thus contributing to sustainability and the conservation of the environment. “MATRADE will be assisting furniture wholesalers and retailers who are interested to partner with the most suitable Malaysian furniture designer or manufacturer, empowered by the tagline, ‘Choose Malaysia’,” it added. -- BERNAMA