NATIONAL TIMBER INDUSTRY POLICY TO BOOST EXPORTS - MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's annual export of timber and
timber products may reach RM53 billion by 2020, more than double the current
performance, with the implementation of the National Timber Industry Policy
(NATIP), says Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Peter Chin.

Chin said NATIP was the result of extensive research, work and consultation
undertaken by the ministry and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) to
identify what needs to be done to ensure continued viability of the wood-based
industry up to 2020.

"By 2020, NATIP foresees that 60 percent of the exports value will be
derived from the shipment of further processed timber products," he said at the
the launch of NATIP Tuesday.

On the export of timber and timber products this year, Chin said there could
be a contraction with the lower demand for furniture and related products as a
result of less housing estates in the United States and Europe.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said last year export earnings from the
timber and timber products sector totalled RM22.5 billion. Its export value is
second only to that of palm oil in the commodities sector. (US$1=RM3.64)
-- BERNAMA