The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) will be organising its inaugural “MTC Global WoodMart 2010”, providing a premier one-stop trading and networking platform for its buyers and suppliers of timber products from Malaysia and around the world.  The two day event that will be held on 19th and 20th October 2010 will showcase tropical hardwoods, temperate softwood and hardwoods.

Furniture doesn’t have to involve wood, but much of the construction of the world’s furniture essentially relies on the usage of wood.  As the staple material associated prominently in the manufacturing of furniture, wood has played a crucial role in our shelter and comfort since the beginning of time. Today, it is increasingly seen as the most environmentally acceptable material for construction, flooring and furniture – being renewable, low in embodied energy and the ultimate carbon sink.

Wood is like oil! All countries use it, some countries have it and most countries import it.  Even those blessed with forests may need to import species of wood not found within their own vicinity to be used for aesthetic purposes and technical performance. 

Michael Hermens of APP Timber, whose Malaysia-based company has been importing wood for the past fifteen years, said, “We have always believed that there is a market for all types of imported wood in Malaysia.”

In recognition of this, as well as an effort to showcase Malaysian wood to overseas buyers, MTC has taken the initiative to launch an event that will facilitate the trading of wood throughout Southeast Asia. This event invites wood suppliers from all over the world to come to KL for the purpose of trading and networking. The Global WoodMart exhibition will be held in the heart of the city at the Kuala Lumpur Convention centre. Organisations such as the American Hardwood Export Council have already signed up, and many other companies from New Zealand and Canada are expected to participate. The event promises to provide the opportunity for material buyers and suppliers to meet under one roof during the two days convention.  

Mr Cheah Kam Huan, CEO of MTC, hopes that furniture manufacturers based in Singapore will take this opportunity to participate in this unique event. He also said, “The MTC Global WoodMart 2010 opens up a fresh vista of opportunities for Malaysian timber businesses to meet global buyers and suppliers of timber products in Malaysia itself.”

For more information, see www.globalwoodmart.my