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Following a highly successful debut in 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, the MTC Global WoodMart (MGW)
2012 will once again take centre-stage at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from October 4-6,
2012 providing a premier one-stop selling, buying and networking platform for local and international
timber suppliers and buyers.
MGW 2012 was today launched by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Minister of Plantation Industries and
Commodities (MPIC) in a ceremony attended by representatives from the industry and government
agencies. The Minister was represented by the Secretary-General of MPIC, Datin Paduka Nurmala
Abdul Rahim, who also read his speech.
In his speech, the Minister congratulated MTC for “organising the MTC Global WoodMart (MGW)
for the second time in 2012 following the very successful inaugural event last year [which] lived up to
its objective and expectation of being a one-stop selling, buying and networking trade fair for
temperate, boreal and tropical timber under one roof.”
Buoyed by the success of the debut show, MTC has doubled the exhibition space for MGW 2012 to
2,000 square metres, to occupy two halls at the KLCC Convention Centre, and has extended the show
duration from two to three days.
Representatives from 13 companies and organizations which had confirmed participation in MGW
2012 signed Letters of Undertaking during the launch witnessed by Datin Paduka Nurmala Abdul
Rahim, MTC Chairman Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and MTC CEO Mr Cheah Kam Huan. They were
the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), French Timber, Ah Hai Industries Sdn Bhd, APP
Timber Sdn Bhd, Java Berhad, Lionex (M) Sdn Bhd, Low Fatt Wood Industries Sdn Bhd, Victory
Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation, Vin-Forest Industries Sdn
Bhd, Professional Surfaces Sdn Bhd, Kronoloc Industries Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Wood
Industries Association.
Media partners for MGW 2012 include Asian Timber (Malaysia), Panels & Furniture Asia
(Singapore), WoodNews (India), InWood (Australasia), EUWID (Germany) and Timber Trades
Journal (UK).
A new feature of MGW 2012 is the ‘Wood in Art’ section, specially introduced for craftsmen to
express their creativity in timber in various finished forms. There will also be a ‘Best Presentation
Award’ for the most creative exhibitor’s booth.
Apart from facilitating business among local and overseas suppliers, agents, distributors, importers,
manufacturers, wholesalers and others in the supply chain, the MGW 2012 also aims to promote and
encourage the wider application and use of timber from Malaysian and international sources.
During his opening remarks, the MTC Chairman said that “MTC is confident that the Global
WoodMart 2012 would be another outstanding success. And I am proud to say that based on
exhibitors and visitors’ positive feedback, the Global WoodMart has already become a trade event
that is looked forward to by the timber trade in 2012”.
MGW’s debut show in 2010 attracted 108 exhibitors from more than 20 countries including Australia,
Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, New Zealand, South Korea, the UAE, UK and USA.
In addition, over 2,000 trade buyers from 50 countries attended, with sizeable representations from
Japan, the Netherlands, China, India, Singapore, Thailand and the UAE.
Feedback from participants was encouraging and favourable with many expressing their interest to
return for MGW 2012. Said John Chan of AHEC, “It provided us a good platform to meet with the
users, traders from many countries.” Stuart McCallum of Timberbond, New Zealand, mentioned that
“Opportunities persist in the Malaysian market. It has been very insightful.” Yaqoub H. Abdulla from
the Department of Seaport & Customs, UAE said, “It has given us a chance to be in this market,
opening a couple of chances to discover this wide and big market of Malaysia.” Peter Thomson of
Glosswood, Australia said, “There is a good range of timbers available and it really does showcase the
Malaysian timber manufacturers.”
To create awareness of MGW 2012, MTC is currently carrying out international promotional efforts
through its offices in London, Shanghai and Dubai to bring prospective buyers from traditional
markets in Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia, as well as emerging markets such as China, Russia
and countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin America to Malaysia.
MGW 2012 will feature a wide selection of tropical and temperate hardwood and softwood products
such as logs, sawntimber, plywood and panel products, wooden flooring, wooden decking, doors and
windows, mouldings and furniture components.
MGW 2012 is endorsed and supported by:
- Ministry of Plantation Industries & Commodities
- Malaysia External Trade & Development Corporation (MATRADE)
- Malaysian Wood Industries Association (MWIA)
- Malaysian Panel-Products Manufacturers’ Association (MPMA)
- Timber Exporters’ Association of Malaysia (TEAM)
- Malaysian Wood Moulding & Joinery Council (MWMJC)
- Malaysian Furniture Industry Council (MFIC)
- Association of Malaysian Bumiputra Timber & Furniture Entrepreneurs (PEKA)
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