At a global level, forest products consumption appears to follow one of the most general empirical rules whereby the richest consumes the most. When applied to countries, the rule changes into the wealthier the nation, the higher the timber consumption. The macroeconomic data confirms such...

Informal and regional timber trades are commonly understood and primarily viewed as domestic trade. The development of these informal and regional trades is not only fueled by factors such as the dynamics of economic growth and local livelihoods, and the globalisation and increasing...

Local news encouraged furniture exports to China in a big way. The Chinese furniture market potential is not trivial. China®s domestic furniture consumption has grown double-digit on a yearly basis and in 2010, the consumption was equivalent to the US domestic market. Malaysia®s furniture...

The increase in global attention on climate change, also heightens pressure on the implementation of certification on rubberwood plantation. Certification ensures that resources are managed sustainably for economic, environmental and societal benefits. The international push for rubberwood...

The acronym of BRIC is becoming widely-known as its use by the media increases. BRIC stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and it is the acronym that captures the new importance and effect of these new big engines of globalisation. These giant countries with their dynamics, thirst of resources...

The MalaysiaÕs wood-based industry is expected to contribute substantially to national income earning through value-added products such as furniture, mouldings, panel products as well as buildersÕ joinery and carpentry. During the Second Industrial Master Plan (IMP2, 1996Ð2005), it was...

The timber industry covers activities at both upstream and downstream levels. Upstream activities are mainly concerned on sustainable forest management while downstream activities are either in the form of primary, secondary or tertiary operations. The Malaysian timber industry has grown from...

Tapping and documenting the traditional knowledge of indigenous people and local communities is a topic that has received increasing worldwide concern. Very often, researchers, agencies and companies gather information on forest-related knowledge without the consent of its holders. Although...

Europe has been in prolonged debt crisis and the markets including timber products were badly affected. Since the 1970?s, European market has been one of the traditional markets for Malaysian timber products, particularly sawntimber. Currently, Malaysia is facing many competitors (especially...

While the world trade of forest products during the 1996Ð2009 period has globally increased, mainly powered by the expansion of Chinese market, competition between exporters has increased too. In the same period, the position of Malaysia in world forest product trade has declined both...