KUALA LUMPUR: The booming economy and rising demand for certified timber products in the Netherlands have enhanced trade opportunities for Malaysian timber manufacturers, said the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC).
In a statement, the council said Malaysia-Netherlands economic relations had seen an upward trend in recent years and interest was growing among the Dutch business community.
"The recent acceptance by the Netherlands of the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme under its public procurement policy for sustainable timber and its vast need for certified timber products to meet the rising demand of its housing sector have prompted the Dutch government to further seek business collaboration here, " it said.
The Netherlands was also well-known for its spatial town planning and green construction methods which Malaysia could capitalise on and learn from, it added.
Recently, MTC had jointly organised a trade-related seminar entitled "The Netherlands: Your Base for Malaysian Timber and Wood Products Exports to Europe" with the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency.
The seminar, officiated by the Netherlands Ambassador to Malaysia Karin Mossenlechner, brought together key speakers from the Netherlands who spoke on investment opportunities, facilities and incentives provided by the Dutch government.
"The Dutch people like natural products such as timber. Just as much as we are here to encourage Malaysian timber-based manufacturers to invest in Holland, we also see Malaysia as an excellent gateway to the ASEAN region," Mossenlechner said.
The Netherlands is Malaysia's second largest trading partner in timber after the United Kingdom.
The country imports about 30 per cent of certified timber products from Malaysia, making it the largest importer of Malaysian certified timber and timber products.
In 2017, Malaysia exported RM435 million worth of timber and timber products to the Netherlands.