Furniture Complex for Lawas

Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) has proposed three furniture complexes in Bintulu, Kapit and Lawas respectively under the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP).Its general manager Datu Sarudu Hoklai said the cost of each complex was about RM20 million.

“We notice that this type of complex has assisted our local vendors. We group them together and support them through training and technology exposure. We already have a similar complex in Kota Samarahan, Tanjung Manis and Kuala Baram and we would like to see more in other areas.

“We believe that Bintulu, Kapit and Lawas have similar potentials because everyone is looking for good furniture,” he told reporters after the opening of the sixth anniversary of STIDC Furniture Complex here yesterday.

He pointed out that STIDC already had the data on the potential vendors for its new proposed complexes. It has targeted five vendors for each new complex, he added.

Currently, STIDC had about 47 vendors throughout the state.

Sarudu explained that the concept of the complex was to provide a platform for Bumiputra entrepreneurs to further enhance their skills so that they could compete locally and internationally.

“The complex is like a temporary area for vendors until they can have their own factories or production areas. It is like an incubation system. We incubate them until they can walk on their own, therefore, they can’t stay here forever,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Sarudu advised local industry players to invest in Research and Development (R&D) to enhance the quality of their products.

He pointed out that furniture with good quality and trendy designs would provide a strong path for an industry player to venture into the overseas markets.

“The quality of your products determine your market share because consumers nowadays emphasise on quality. Local vendors must acknowledge this challenge,” he said.

A marketing strategy was equally important, said Sarudu, adding that local players should promote their products aggressively through various channel.

“Service to customers should be improved as well. Your staff should be equipped with relevant knowledge so that they can provide good explanation to customers,” he said.

by Lee Ya Yun
May 1, 2010, Saturday / KOTA SAMARAHAN

Posted by Lawasian on Ahad, Mei 02, 2010. Filed under Pembangunan, Projek . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry