STIDC-Unimas MoA to raise furniture export

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Kadim (second from left) and Sarudu exchanging the signed MoA documents while Awang Tengah and others look on. Also seen are Kopli (left), Hashim (right), Bujang (back row left), Hatta and Julaihi.

Kadim (second from left) and Sarudu exchanging the signed MoA documents while Awang Tengah and others look on. Also seen are Kopli (left), Hashim (right), Bujang (back row left), Hatta and Julaihi.

KUCHING: Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and Unimas’ Institute of Design and Innovation yesterday inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to formalise a collaborative initiative known as ‘Kursi Pusaka’.

Unimas was represented by its vice chancellor Prof Dato Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi Kadim while STIDC was represented by its general manager Datu Sarudu Hoklai.

Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, Trade and Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who witnessed the signing, said ‘Kursi Pusaka’ was a research and development fund for wood-based furniture.

He said the collaboration was to realise STIDC’s vision to transform the timber industry into a high income industry, especially for the export market.

“Through this fund, STIDC can fully utilise the intellectual capacity from Unimas in producing furniture designs that can be commercialised not only in the domestic market but also international market.

“We hope this collaboration will produce local brands from Sarawak that can be brought to the international market,” he said at the signing ceremony here yesterday.

He said currently the value of timber export and wood-based products totalled RM7.2 billion annually, but out of this, furniture export accounted for only RM20 million.

“Through this collaboration, we hope to raise a pool of young designers from among university students who can produce competitive furniture designs for the export market,” he said, adding that STIDC would also utilise this facility to produce furniture using timber sourced from planted forests.

The main objectives of the collaboration are to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in wood-based products, particularly on furniture design.

This will include exploring local ethnic motives, features and artefacts, exploring new materials and technology enhancement.

Meanwhile, Kadim said the furniture industry nowadays was not just about fulfilling daily lifestyle needs but also about design presentation and efficient use of space that fits the physical and aesthetic qualities.

“There is also a need to strike a balance between using the raw materials, especially wood, and efficient and smart environment management. This is to ensure the sustainability of the industry.”

He added that both parties would also focus on human capital development by creating a pool of young furniture designers and producing skilled workers for the industry.

Also present at the function were Industrial Development Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Unimas board of directors chairman Datu Dr Hatta Solhi, Unimas deputy vice chancellor Prof Dr Kopli Bujang, Harwood Timber executive chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Mohd Nor and STIDC deputy general manager Hashim Bojet.