Growing furniture exports

Level up: Local manufacturers need to improve themselves, stresses Chua.

MALAYSIAN furniture manufacturers have come a long way. The industry started off with catering to the domestic market but has become a strong export product for the country.

According to Malaysian Furniture Council president Chua Chun Chai, local manufacturers started moving into exports in the 1990s. During the 1980s, the entry barrier for such businesses was relatively low. Back then, furniture manufacturers were likely to be those who were previously involved with renovation works using wooden materials.