KUCHING: Sarawak plans to set up furniture parks in Kuching and Tanjung Manis as part of efforts to strengthen downstream timber operations through high value-added products.

       Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the parks would be developed by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), in collaboration with industry players to attract investors in the furniture industry, particularly for export.

       "The proposed parks are expected to generate RM500mil in investment and export value of RM4bil by 2030," he said at STIDC's handover of financial contributions totalling RM286,000 to 62 welfare and charitable organisations here on Friday (April 22).

       Awang Tengah said STIDC was also collaborating with the private sector to develop a bamboo plantation in Sabal as a pilot project.

       "We are targeting 10,000 hectares of bamboo plantations by 2030 to ensure sufficient supply of raw materials for bamboo-based downstream industries such as furniture, engineered bamboo-based products, handicrafts, cosmetics, fuel and food, with an estimated export value of RM250mil by 2030," he said.

       Awang Tengah called on industry players to invest in technology and upgrade their operations to move into the high value-added downstream sector.

       He said STIDC would continue to provide guidance to help timber players focus on downstream products such as furniture and engineered wood.