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growth in the longer term.
He added Malaysia should not be distracted by BRICS and The Natural - Log Homes
how the incoming US administration could affect Malaysia. He
added, the opportunities within Asean integration are massive.

He pointed out in terms of intra-Asean foreign direct
investment or intra-Asean trade the ratios are half of what
they are in the European Union (EU) or the US-Mexico-Canada
Agreement.
Bursa Malaysia chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, agreed
that Malaysia's biggest potential lies in Asean but that should
not exclude Malaysia's move towards becoming a BRICS
member. Malaysia can be a part of many trade agreements.
The consensus was the country should diversify the During company visits the Minister of Plantation and

economy and export markets and diversify the currencies used. Commodities, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, witnessed first-
hand the positive impact of the FTP on both the workflow
MTC’s Factory Transformation Programme efficiencies and overall productivity of the factories. MTC’s
A press release from the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) reports Chairman said the FTP aims to foster holistic transformation
MTC has received recognition for its transformative efforts in across all levels of the participating factories.
revolutionising the timber industry according to a recent press He added that the programme focused on equipping
release and the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) employees with the necessary training and support to improve

officially endorsed MTC’s Factory Transformation Programme operations and drive productivity.
(FTP) as a key initiative for the industry. He pointed out that the FTP not only leads to substantial
This highlights the programme’s success in driving cost savings but also strengthens the global competitiveness
automation, enhancing productivity and promoting sustainable of Malaysia’s timber industry players. MTC’s CEO highlighted
practices in the Malaysian timber sector. some of the notable outcomes from the programme, including
Launched in 2021, the FTP was designed to propel wood- companies reducing factory space by up to 25 percent, with
based companies towards achieving Industry 4.0 (IR4.0) by the freed-up space being leased to other businesses, further
promoting automation and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). boosting their economic activity.
The programme has achieved substantial milestones since

its inception, with 58 companies participating and more than 2025 export target can be achieved
90 percent benefiting from its implementation. Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of
In 2023 alone, the FTP helped participating factories reduce Plantations and Commodities (MPC), said he is confident
waste valued at RM3.2 million through the implementation that the target of RM28 billion in wood and wood products
of quality control systems which significantly reduced the exports by 2025 will be achieved as outlined in the National
need for product rework. The success of FTP was further Agri-Commodity Policy.
underscored during a visit today by two companies—Kim He said this confidence is based on strategic initiatives,

Teck Lee Timber Flooring and Weng Meng Industries, both increasing global demand and close collaboration between the
located in Banting, Selangor. ministry and industry players to enhance the competitiveness