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<b>Sarawak</b> hopes to sustain timber, timber product export value at <b>...</b> Berita Sarawak - News 2 Sarawak


<b>Sarawak</b> hopes to sustain timber, timber product export value at <b>...</b>

Posted: 10 Mar 2014 11:55 AM PDT

SIBU: Sarawak hopes to sustain the export value of its timber and timber products at the RM7.2 billion level this year.

The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corp (STIDC) in the first issue of its quarterly newsletter this year said this was feasible due to favourable economic situations in the major consuming countries.

STIDC said Japan will increase its demand for timber and timber products as Tokyo will be hosting the 2020 Olympic Games.

"As such, Japan is poised to intensify infrastructure development to upgrade the Games' facilities," it said.

The corporation said on its own, concerted efforts will continue to sustain the state's position as a major exporter of tropical timber products in the region.

"These include organising more timber-selling missions and participation in both national and international exhibitions.

"STIDC will also embark on research to formulate a masterplan to strengthen the role of small and medium enterprises in the wood-based downstream industry," it said.

The state government also has a series of plans and programmes to boost exports, it said.

"The Malaysian Timber Council and the Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council are now, for instance, vigorously promoting Malaysian timber overseas.

"Plans are in the pipeline to regian lost markets besides going into new emerging markets," STIDC said.

Meanwhile, from January to September 2013, Sarawak earned export value of RM5.4 billion for its timber and timber products.

Among its three main export items were plywood/veneer (RM2.2 billion), logs (RM800 million) and sawn timber (RM328 million).

During the period, Japan emerged as the biggest buyer (RM2.1 billion) followed by India (RM825 million), Taiwan (RM619 million), West Asia (RM422 million) and South Korea (RM380 million). — Bernama

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Second polysilicon plant to further energise SCORE initiatives <b>...</b>

Posted: 11 Mar 2014 11:33 AM PDT

by Jonathan Wong, jonathanwong@theborneopost.com. Posted on March 12, 2014, Wednesday

KUCHING: Cosmoc Chemicals Bhd (Cosmos) yesterday signed a technology license and major equipment supply contract with GT Advanced Technologies Inc (GTAT) for a new polysilicon facility being built in Samalaju Industrial Park under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) initiative.

This will be Sarawak's second polysilicon plant after Tokuyama.

The complex is designed to product 25,000 tonnes worth about US$250,000 (about RM819,000) per year of high quality solar and electronics grade polysilicon and will be a world class, high volume polysilicon manufacturing facility bringing the latest polysilicon technology to Malaysia.

The complex will be owned and operated by Cosmos, an affiliate of Al Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia's Project Management & Development Company (PMD).

It will include GTAT's full range of polysilicon technology including trichlorosilane, CVD reactors and other product handling and processing systems.

Cosmos was granted an allocation of 250 acres of land at Samalaju by the state government and Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) will supply the electricity to the complex. In addition, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has issued a manufacturing license and pioneer status to the complex.

"The polysilicon plant – one of the largest in Asia – is expected to be one of the largest polysilicon facilities in the world which would create 600 direct employment opportunities, together with thousands of jobs in the downstream solar power industry value chain and represents a significant benefit to Sarawak.

"The polysilicon project is in line with the Sarawak government's SCORE initiative of promoting green and sustainable energy solutions, leading to further developments of the state's industrial base," said Majed Abdullah Al Ahmadi, chairman and managing director of Cosmos.

Cosmos chief financial officer Anand Iyer added, "We are delighted to be signing the technology license and equipment supply agreement with GTAT as it represents a major milestone towards the plant coming on line by the target date."

"GTAT is excited to be supplying our latest full suite of polysilicon equipment and technology for the Cosmos polysilicon project," said Dave Peck, vice president and general manager of GTAT's polysilicon business units.

"GTAT has a successful track record of helping new market entrants establish world class polysilicon production operations.

"Our proven polysilicon technology gives customers the ability to quickly achieve nameplate production capacity for high-quality, low-cost polysilicon."

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