As part of new impetus to further promote Malaysian timber and timber related products to penetrate the lucrative Chinese market, YB Datuk Wee Jeck Seng, Chairman of the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) led a Malaysian delegation to visit Guangdong, China from 23-25 April 2015. During the visit, the delegation which comprised of representatives from the various industry including the Malaysian Furniture Council (MFC); Malaysian Wood Moulding & Joinery Council (MWMJC); The Timber Exporters' Association of Malaysia (TEAM); Malaysian Wood Industries Association (MWIA); Malaysian Panel-Products Manufacturers' Association (MPMA) and senior official from MTC visited the city of Guangzhou and the hub of the Chinese furniture industry in Foshan .
The purpose of the visit was to explore new avenues for both Malaysia and Chinese timber players to collaborate further in efforts to contribute towards the goal of achieving an annual trade of USD160 billion between the two countries by the year 2017. Currently, timber and timber related products consists only 2% of the overall trade between Malaysia and China. Malaysia has expressed confidence that this figure will increase in future as MTC looks to focus and re-strategized itself in the world's second largest economy.
On 24 April 2015, YB Datuk Wee officiated the "Dialogue on Timber and Timber related Products and Business Matching between Chinese and Malaysian timber industries" which was organised by MTC at the Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou. Present was Mr. Muzambli Markam, Consul General of Malaysia in Guangzhou, Mr. Ruzlisham Mat Diah, Consul (Investment) and Mr. Chan Yik Sing, Deputy Consul (Trade). From the Chinese side, Mr Zhang Jianmin, President of Guangdong Timber Industry Association; Mr Zhang Chengzhi, Secretary-General of Guangdong Furniture Association and officials from Chinese Customs General Administration (Port Clearance and Valuation) based in Shenzhen was also present to provide some overview of the Chinese market and customs procedures on timber and timber related imports. The event attracted over 50 Chinese participants from the local wood based and furniture industries.
The strategic thrust to make in-roads in the Chinese market by MTC is very timely, given that Malaysia was now actively looking beyond its traditional market to expand its exports, notably in both Europe and the US which was currently experiencing a slow economic growth and challenges.