Mar 31, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Prices of Malaysian timber products increased substantially as shortages of raw materials became critical as a result of tropical thunderstorms, ITTO reported. Barring bad weather, it remains to be seen if there are sufficient strong business fundamentals in the international business environment to lift up the Malaysian timber market in the long run. However, two foreign brokerages, Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse have issued calls to upgrade the timber sector, according to StarBiz. Prices of plywood have hit bottom and Japanese regulatory bodies are relaxing some rules and regulations concerning the Japanese construction industry. This may help accelerate timber trade with Japan.