MTC chairperson Norrida Yusoff speaking at the launch of MWE 2022.
After a two-year hiatus, the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) announced the comeback of its all-successful international wood and woodworking trade show, the Malaysian Wood Expo (MWE) 2022.
MTC chairperson Hajah Norrida Yusoff says the council is anticipating a high number of serious international buyers who will boost business opportunities for fair exhibitors. MWE 2022 is set to be bigger and better than its inaugural show in 2019.
Some South African business owners attended the expo in 2019, including the editor of WoodBiz Africa.
MTC hopes the trade fair will inspire new solutions and greater opportunities to source the latest in the timber-based industry. “Everything has been doubled, from the exhibition floor space to the initiatives to make this show a resounding success and profitable for our trade fair participants,” says Hajah Norrida.
MWE 2022 will be held from 20 – 22 November 2022 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). It is jointly organised by MTC and the Panels & Furniture Group and supported by the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities.
In 2019 over 60% of the exhibitors were foreign. Several reported that they sold out their machinery on the fair’s first day.
“Despite our RM25 million target in MWE 2019, we raked in RM140 million in sales. We are hoping to do much better this year. Many investors and business owners are putting the pandemic behind them and gearing up for more face-to-face business dealings at trade fairs,” says MTC CEO Muhtar Suhaili.
The trade show will showcase raw materials and wood products such as wooden flooring, mouldings, doors, window and door frames, panel products, wooden pallets and woodworking machinery and cutting tools, abrasives, adhesives, and coatings, timber-related equipment, materials, and furniture production software, among others.
The CEO added that MTC is anticipating more importers to join the business matching programmes, specifically its Incoming Buying Mission. In 2019, the Incoming Buying Mission, which was conducted in collaboration with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), generated sales of RM118.93 million.
To encourage participation in MWE 2022, MTC incentivises Malaysian buyers of machinery, air pollution control (APC) equipment and raw materials. MATRADE is offering a market development grant to local exhibitors.
MTC was established in January 1992 to promote the development and growth of the Malaysian timber industry globally.
MTC’s main objectives are promoting the Malaysian timber trade and developing the timber products market. It assists in upgrading the manufacturing technology base, augmenting raw material supplies, providing information services and protecting and improving the Malaysian timber industry’s global image.
Africa is a priority market for Malaysian timber exports. MTC exhibited at WoodEx for Africa in June.
The fair is recognised and endorsed by top timber-related associations from countries including China, France, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the United States.
MWE 2022 is endorsed by the Malaysian Wood Industries Association (MWIA), the Timber Exporters’ Association of Malaysia (TEAM), the Malaysian Panel-Products Manufacturers’ Association (MPMA), Malaysian Wood Moulding & Joinery Council (MWMJC), Malaysian Furniture Council (MFC), Association of Malaysian Bumiputra Timber & Furniture Entrepreneurs (PEKA) and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Malaysian Woodworking Machinery Association (MWMA).