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The Malaysian furniture industry has previously depended on
designs suggested by their foreign buyers. This arrangement has accelerated the
contract manufacture of western-style products aimed at the export market. However,
Malaysia’s current key industrial policy strategy in this sector aims to
move it away from its current dependence on contract manufacturing and to instead
focus on producing higher value added furniture. To stay competitive and viable
in the international scene, the Malaysian furniture industry employs local creative
innovations and designs, which has seen its products gaining more and more global
acceptance.
Malaysia’s main furniture export destinations are the
United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore.
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There
are an estimated 750 furniture manufacturing and export
companies in Malaysia, with another 1,500 smaller
concerns playing a supporting role. Under the government’s
second Master Plan (1996-2005), the Malaysian Furniture
industry has been identified as a "target industry"
and is now one of the new growth sectors of the economy.
In 2000, the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority
gave the go ahead to a total of 34 furniture and fixtures
investment projects and 21 wood investment projects.
Collectively, these investments are worth 356.5 million
Malaysian ringgit.
