Jun 07, 2013. /Lesprom Network/. Sarawak, Malaysia, timber industry brought in RM7.455 billion ($2.44 billion) to the state in 2012 compared to RM7.085 billion ($2.32billion) in 2011. This 5.2% growth was due to strong demand in markets in the Middle East, South Korea, Singapore, India and Philippines, ITTO reported.

Sarawak timber exports for the 1Q this year totalled RM1.85 billion ($607 million) a drop of 3.2% compared to last year.

The decline was due to an overall decline in demand except in the case of plywood for which exports increased by 5.4% in the 1Q to RM1.057 billion ($347 million).

In terms of volume, plywood, which account for 40% of all timber exports by the state, increased by 14% to 734,162 cubic metres.