Kuala Lumpur: Although the performance of the timber sector is commendable, it should not lull the industry fraternity into complacency, says Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Anifah Aman.

"We must be sensitive to the market trend and movements and quick to response accordingly," he said at the "Aseanwood Woodtech Malaysia 2005" here, Thursday. The woodworking exhibition started on Sept 7 and will end on Sept 11.

Anifah said, "Let us always remember that with the passing of time, the market is unrelentingly dynamic".

The timber industry's contribution to the country's economic growth is about five percent and it offers job opportunities to about 337,000 people or nearly 3.4 percent of the country's workforce.

Last year, the industry achieved a remarkable performance of RM19.78 billion in export receipts which was a growth of 21.3 percent compared to RM16.3 billion in 2003.

For the same period, exports of both plywood and wooden furniture, totalled RM5.6 billion and RM5.5 billion respectively.

Many industry players are confident that this year's furniture export will breach the RM7 billion mark.

"Embracing new technologies and best practices is an effective means for a player to tackle the ever-changing market," he said.

He said it was important for industry players to be aware of the latest developments and equally important to use new applications as needed which would enhance performance.

Some 603 companies from 26 countries are participating in this exhibition and a record of 5,000 exhibits are display.

Local exhibitors and visitors will have opportunities to check out machinery, tools, technologies and innovations from Germany, Italy, China and Taiwan.

Malaysia is ranked number one in Asean and 10th in the world as the largest furniture exporting country.

There are more than 5,000 manufacturers involved in the manufacturing of wood products such as sawn timber, plywood, veneer, particle board, furniture and joineries. - Bernama