THE JORDAN TIMES
Jordanian imports of Malaysian timber likely to rise 10% in 2010
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN - Malaysia's timber exports to the Kingdom are expected to grow by 10 per cent in 2010, Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) officials said Tuesday.
The officials made the remarks on the sidelines of meetings on Tuesday between a Malaysian business mission and Jordanian businesspeople to explore potential deals between exporters of Malaysian timber products and importers from Jordan.
In remarks to the press, Malaysian Ambassador to Jordan Dato’ Abdul Malek Ben Abdul Aziz said the mission, the second by the MTC, seeks to foster ties in this sector between businesspeople from both states.
The mission comprises representatives from 13 established timber companies.
"We hope this mission will enhance networking and cooperation between business communities in both countries… Jordan can be a gateway for Malaysia into the Middle East," said the ambassador.
The ambassador added that the resumption of direct flights between Amman and Kuala Lumpur as of today [Wednesday] following five years of suspension is likely to enhance trade exchange between Jordan and Malaysia in all sectors.
Trade exchange between Jordan and Malaysia stood at $188 million in 2009, according to figures from the embassy.
MTC Chief Executive Officer Cheah Kam Huan said the business mission will enhance networking between Malaysian and Jordanian businesspeople.
"The Malaysian timber exporters and producers are here to explore partnerships and boost cooperation with Jordanian timber importers. This meeting will help increase Malaysia's exports of timber to Jordan," he told The Jordan Times.
Jordan's imports of timber and timber products from Malaysia stood at only $3 million in 1998, but in 2007 they rose to $32.1 million, according to Khairul Anwar, director of MTC Dubai.
Anwar indicated that Jordan's imports of timber from Malaysia reached $41.1 million in 2008, while in 2009 they rose to $48.1 million.
Malaysia's timber exports to the Middle East stood at $508 million in 2009, according to Anwar.
"Over the past few years, our exports to Jordan rose gradually and during this year I expect our exports of timber to Jordan to rise by about 10 per cent," said
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