KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s average furniture export value of RM8 billion is expected to increase to RM16 billion by 2020, driven by Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB)’s Professional Designer Programme (PDP).
PDP is an initiative and a joint programme with the Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council in integrating designs and designers into the furniture production in the country.
MTIB director-general Dr Jalaluddin Harun said the programme aims to encourage more creativity and innovations in terms of furniture designs among young local designers.
“We hope with PDP programme, we can enhance exports with less volume but of higher value,” he said at the PDP media briefing here today.
Furniture exports stood at RM2.26 billion between January and April 2015, 6.5% higher from RM2.089 billion in the same period in 2014.
Jalaluddin said Malaysia needs to strengthen its supply chain, production of new market-oriented value-added products and explore new markets.
“Under the programme, local designers will have the opportunity to engage with the international designers and share ideas to come out with innovative productions which are expected to lead to the higher demand from consumers.”
PDP, which began today, will end on March 12, 2016.
