MALAYSIA TO ACHIEVE FURNITUE EXPORT TARGET OF RM10 BLN

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is confident of exporting RM10
billion (US$2.96 billion) worth of furniture this year, said Plantation
Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Hamzah Zainudin.

He said furniture export earnings declined 12 per cent last year, because of
the economic slowdown, to RM7.62 billion (US$2.26 billion), from RM8.7 billion
(US$2.58 billion) in 2008.

"The goverment is confident the local furniture industry, which is
resilient, will spring back to its former glory on signs of improving market
conditions," he told reporters after officiating the Export Furniture Exhibition
Malaysia 2010 in Serdang, near here, Wednesday.

Hamzah added furniture manufacturers reported new orders from overseas and
this was good for both the industry and the nation.

He also said it was time for local producers and exporters to re-brand
themselves to move up the value chain, to achieve higher levels of performance
and competitiveness by marketing world-class quality products.

Hamzah said the government had allocated RM1 billion, through the Forest
Plantation Programme, to be invested in the furniture industry.

"The government is aware of the importance of raw material supply to
the industry.

"Through the programme, the government plans to develop 375,000 hectares of
land into large-scale forest plantation by 2021," he said.

The five-day exhibition, beginning today, is a trade platform for 250
furniture manufacturers, not only to showcase high quality products but to
further expand their business and seek new markets.
-- BERNAMA