The Deputy Chief Minister explained that the total export generated from the timber sector between January and June 2022 was approximately RM587,993,764, adding the main products exported include plywood, sawn timber and moulding-related products.
He said the Sabah government has been managing the state’s forest in a sustainable manner since the establishment of the Sustainable Forest Management Policy in 1997. “The Sabah government, particularly my Ministry, is supportive of the policy to establish 400,000ha of forest plantations by 2035 as a measure to reduce dependence on timber from forest reserves, as well as to enhance timber productivity in the state,” Gunsalam said.
“At this point in time, I am proud to be a Sabahan since Sabah still has 64% of the total land mass that is still covered with forest. We all should be very proud of this heritage for the next generation to see and enjoy. Kudos to the Sabah Forestry Department,” Gunsalam said. He called on both the upstream and downstream industry players to work closely with the government as the way forward to continue the development of the timber industry in Sabah.