Its minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin, said the target was achievable since the country’s furniture industry had chalked up commendable sales despite the country facing the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Even during the pandemic, when we are facing low supply due to logistical problems such as transportation, the movement control orders and so on, the furniture industry has remained stable in terms of export value, so I reckon that it can exceed RM13 billion (this year).
“The end of the year – October to December – is the time for them to catch up by seizing the opportunity to export the available goods as fast as possible. I am confident their efforts will bear fruit,” she told a media conference after launching the satellite office of the Malaysian timber industry board (MTIB) and Malaysian timber council (MTC) here today.
Zuraida said that for the first eight months of 2021, the country’s furniture export value hit RM6.6 billion, up 5.2% from RM6.2 billion in last year’s corresponding period.
“The export potential is very high, as the US is the main market which accounts for nearly 50%. Although we have competition from Vietnam, the Americans still regard Malaysia as the supplier of high-quality and stylish furniture that suits their taste,” she added.
On the furniture companies’ concern regarding foreign workers, Zuraida said KPPK was working together with the international trade and industry ministry to resolve the matter.
“The hiring of foreign workers comes under the enterprise category and not under KPPK, so we will ask for some leeway or waiver for KPPK to manage the recruitment of workers in the area of commodities, especially in the timber or furniture industry,” she explained.
On the MTIB and MTC satellite office, Zuraida said its function was to coordinate furniture-related issues for about 700 furniture businesses in the Muar district – the furniture city of Malaysia – as well as promoting the use of automation and innovation in the timber industry.
Johor contributed 69% of Malaysia’s wooden furniture export value last year, with Muar alone accounting for 46%.