Sylvia Weichenberger, CSIL Partner and Senior Expert, has been invited as a guest speaker to attend the first Timber Conference organised by the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) hosted at the Meridien Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, along with other sector experts from Finland, Switzerland and Malaysia.

The Conference welcomed over 200 guests including sector specialist and journalists from all over Asia. Dato’ Low Kian Chuan, Chairman of the Malaysian Timber Council along with the Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok Suh Sim opened the Conference.

On 18 October 2018, Sylvia Weichenberger presented her speech focusing on CSIL’s World Furniture Outlook, Future Perspectives & Opportunities, market trends in the wood furniture segment as well as forecasts on the furniture sector based on CSIL research.

The different speakers provided their inputs on how Malaysian timber-based manufacturers could overcome the challenges of the industry. Detailed presentations were given on how to face the timber sector’s changing landscapes, the global economic outlook, the timber demand and supply worldwide, the necessity for certification proving that timbers are extracted in a sustainable and legal manner and the need to embrace technology.

The conference presentations were followed by panel discussions on possible solutions to the raw material shortage, needs for automation and international trade-related matters.