UAE. The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), the agency that promotes the development of the Malaysian timber industry with special focus on the marketing of locally-made timber products, is seeking to enhance the wood trade between Malaysia and the UAE, given the country’s strong efforts to establish itself as the trade and service hub in West Asia.

In line with this, the Council is currently promoting local companies and their Malaysian timber wood at the ‘Dubai WoodShow 2010’, the Middle East's wood-focused exhibition, which is currently running at the Dubai Airport Expo until 15 April  2010.

Malaysia produces a diverse range of products, from sawn timber to semi-finished items such as quality flooring, doors, decking, mouldings, staircases other joinery timber products and furniture. In 2009, despite the strong trading partnership between UAE and Malaysia, the economic downturn has taken a toll on the volume of Malaysian timber exported to the UAE.

However, in 2009, total export of timber products from Malaysia to UAE stood at RM 598,644,103. With its participation at this year’s ‘Dubai WoodShow 2010’, MTC is aiming to bolster the demand for Malaysian wood products in the UAE as well as across the GCC.

“MTC strives to raise the profile of the Malaysian timber industry globally by promoting Malaysia as a holistic and efficient one-stop sourcing centre,” said Khairul Anwar, Director, Malaysian Timber Council. “As part of our efforts to further expand and diversify our international trade, our presence here at ‘Dubai WoodShow 2010’ affords us an excellent opportunity to introduce Malaysian timber manufacturers to local and regional buyers and hopefully create a dynamic that will reinvigorate the trade between Malaysia and the UAE.”