The Sarawak State Government has remained committed in ensuring management sustainability of its forests through its ongoing efforts.
“We are committed to gazette areas as Totally Protected Areas, and we are very proud that Sarawak has contributed significantly to the Heart of Borneo Initiative,” said Deputy Chief Minister III and Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources YB Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan in his remarks before launching the 2nd Global Timber Conference (GTC) 2017 at Pullman Hotel, Kuching on 7th November 2017.
He reiterated Sarawak’s target of one million hectares of Totally Protected Areas by 2020, and the recent increase of the State’s coverage of the Heart of Borneo Initiative from 2.1 hectares to 2.5 hectares by Chief Minister YAB Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, whom Datuk Amar Awang Tengah was representing at the conference.
In relation, he emphasised the importance of the timber industry for Sarawak and Malaysia; Sarawak’s timber and timber products export was RM5.9 billion in 2016, accounting for nearly 27 percent of Malaysia’s total timber export.
Meanwhile, GTC 2017 is a two-day programme (7th-8th November 2017) with the theme ‘Innovation and Market Driven Strategies: Keystones to Sustainable Growth.’
It features 20 local and international experts presenting 20 papers under six special focused sessions, as well as the Global Timber Leaders Forum that will discuss ‘Timber Industry Collaborative Framework under the ASEAN Economic Community.’
“The programme will help industry players and stakeholders to have a better understanding on wide-ranging issues including new technologies, international standards and certification for the timber industry,” said Chairman of Confexhub YBhg Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz S.A. Kadir in his welcoming remarks.
