Loh (fourth left, seated) and his committee members pose for a group photo during the meeting.
KUCHING (March 22): The relevant authorities are urged to streamline the export procedures for bird nests to pave the way for local traders to expand their business and market.
In making this call, Sarawak Bird’s Nest Traders Association president Loh Siaw Kuei said the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (DVSS), in particular, can simplify the export process to give a boost to the industry’s development.
“Only through enhancing administrative efficiency can we, the traders, remain and become more competitive in the global arena,” he said during the association’s annual general meeting here last night.
Loh noted four local traders had successfully been exempted from another round of export tax for processed bird nests totalling at 225 kilogrammes early this year.
He said the association had negotiated with SFC to see these traders be exempted from the tax to export the processed bird nests to China.
According to him, these traders already paid the export tax for the processed bird nests, which were not successfully transported to China due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The processed bird nests were not permitted to be exported due to the pandemic. Now that export is allowed, the four traders thus requested export tax not be imposed again,” he explained.
Loh said they are well aware of the difficulties that bird nest traders face, and the association would do everything it can to defend its members’ interests.
He noted that Malaysia produces bird nests worth billions of ringgit per annum, with a monthly export to China exceeding 30 tonnes.
He was hopeful the country would continue to shine in this industry despite challenges such as the pandemic and influenza.
Quoting the latest statistics, Loh said Malaysia had exported 102.1 tonnes of bird nests to China in the past nine months.
“This goes to show that the global demand is there. We shall look forward and be prepared to export more. Towards this end, we have to come up with a comprehensive plan and marketing strategy to ensure business and production sustainability,” he said.
He said it is pertinent for industry players to work together in addressing various challenges and thereby recording further progress for the sector.
However, he regretted industry players still faced severe theft issues, regardless of whether the swiftlet farms are located in urban or rural areas.
“When thefts happen, both swiftlet farmers and bird nest traders have to bear with enormous losses. This is undoubtedly a severe blow to the industry.
“What is more worrying is that some quarters are buying the stolen bird nests at low prices, which exacerbates the situation, having negative impact on the survival of licensed traders,” he lamented.
As such, Loh appealed to all industry players to reject illegal trades of bird nests to uphold their own benefits and interests.
He also called upon them to report to the authorities should they come across any prohibited activities or sale of bird nests.