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>Industries>Manufacturing>Wood-Based and Furniture

Wood-Based and Furniture

Malaysia is an important player in the international market for tropical wood and wood products, and is also the leading exporter of wooden furniture globally. For the past 20 years, Malaysia’s wood-based industry has become one of the major revenue contributors to the country’s economic growth, encompassing the production of sawn timber, veneer, panel products (plywood, particleboard, chipboard, and fibreboard), mouldings, and builder joinery and carpentry (BJC), as well as furniture and furniture components.

Wood & Wood Products

2021

14

Approved Projects

RM155 mil

Approved Investments

Foreign Investment RM13.7 mil (8.8%)

Domestic Investment RM141.3 mil (91.2%)

660

Job Opportunities

For more statistics, please click here.

Furniture & Fixtures

2021

30

Approved Projects

RM244.6 mil

Approved Investments

Foreign Investment RM41.2 mil (16.8%)

Domestic Investment RM203.4 mil (83.2%)

1,033

Job Opportunities

For more statistics, please click here.

Adopting Modern Design and Technologies


In order for the wood-based and furniture industry to improve its export ranking, the industry has to adopt new and state-of-the-art technologies to overcome production bottlenecks that would result in newer and sophisticated products and reduce dependency on unskilled foreign labour. This can be achieved by identifying and exploiting innovation gains through the promotion of knowledge intensive industries, technical breakthroughs and design and development initiatives.

MIDA encourages industry players to focus on creativity and innovation in their production processes, moving up the value chain from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to becoming an original design manufacturer (ODM) or own- brand manufacturer (OBM).

Government Support

Malaysian manufacturers have started to raise capital expenditures for technological investments despite the associated high costs, enabling them to start venturing into automation and Industry 4.0.

The Government continues to encourage more local companies to produce high value-added products and leverage on automation as well as invest in the upskilling of their talents. Some of the available incentives for companies in this industry include:

  • Industry4WRD Intervention Fund
  • Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF)
  • Automation Capital Allowance (ACA)
  •  

Under the Promotion of Investments Act (PIA), 1986 the incentives offered are as follows:

  • Pioneer Status (PS) with income tax exemption of 70% of statutory income for 5 years. OR
  • Investment Tax Allowance (ITA) of 60% of qualifying capital expenditure incurred within a period of 5 years. The allowance can be offset against 70% of statutory income in the year of assessment.

Companies in this industry are also eligible for Reinvestment Incentives under the PIA 1986:

  • Pioneer Status (PS) with income tax exemption of 70% of statutory income for 5 years. OR
  • Investment Tax Allowance (ITA) of 60% of qualifying capital expenditure incurred within a period of 5 years. The allowance can be offset against 70% of statutory income in the year of assessment.

Talent Availability and Capabilities

The Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) has set up the Wood Industrial Skill Development Centre (WISDEC) to produce more industry-ready talents that specialise in woodworking, wood crafting and furniture design. The training institution works closely with TVET institutions, government agencies or ministries and other training centres to carry out technical training and facilitate product development. It has also been mandated to coordinate the Malaysia Skills Competition (CPM).

Meanwhile, public higher learning institutions like the Universiti Malaysia Sabah offers a Wood Technology and Industry programme which covers the basic knowledge of wood, identification of commercial timbers, the technology and processing techniques, management and marketing. The programme focuses on the upstream and downstream processing industries to produce wood products such as paper, fibreboard, particleboard and plywood. Other than that, this programme will also focus on technology and methods to enhance the wood quality-related to wood drying and preservation.

The availability of these courses and platforms reflects the country’s commitment to expanding the talent supply and skills level of its workforce for the advancement of this industry.

Get Started

MIDA provides comprehensive support to your business as you consider the competitive and comparative advantages Malaysia has to offer for your investment. Explore our dedicated resources, wide range of facilities or consultation services to assist you in expanding your operations here.
Learn more about the essential forms and guidelines to help you get started on your journey in Malaysia’s manufacturing sector.
Company can submit application and track the application status online via MIDA InvestMalaysia portal at investmalaysia.mida.gov.my
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