In response to the article, “Group: Stronger Ringgit will hit furniture exports”, in The Sun dated 24 September 2010, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) would like to highlight that Malaysia’s furniture exports for the period January to June 2010,  increased by 10.8 percent to RM3.95 billion compared with RM3.57 billion for the corresponding period in 2009.

Wooden furniture increased by 11.2 per cent to RM3.23 billion from January to June 2010, compared with RM2.90 billion for the corresponding period in 2009, There was a slight decrease in the figures for Metal furniture, by about 4.7 per cent to RM291.6 million ( RM306.1 million between Jan to June 2009); seats and its parts, saw a significant 30.4 per cent increase to RM272.9 million ( RM209.2 million between Jan to June 2009); and parts of furniture, increased by 0.4 per cent to RM127.5 million ( RM127.0 million between Jan to June 2009).

The Ringgit has been steadily rising since the beginning of 2010 and hit a 13-week high last week. In the first half of 2010 Malaysia’s total exports amounted to RM315.8 billion compared with RM250.5 billion recorded in the first half of 2009. Total exports for the country in July 2010 amounted to RM55.43 billion, an increase of 13.5% compared with the same month in 2009.

MITI constantly engages industry associations through dialogues and roundtable discussions as well as site visits to better understand industries’ concerns.

To assist Malaysian companies, including furniture manufacturers in gaining market access overseas, MATRADE embarks on promotional initiatives such as the Specialised Marketing Mission (SMM). This year MATRADE undertook a SMM for Furniture to New York and Toronto in May as well as promotion of Malaysian furniture brands at the I-Saloni furniture fair in Milan in April and the setting up of a Promotion Booth in Paznan, Poland in February.

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
25 September 2010