Industry players from the ASEAN woodworking machinery, timber processing, forestry managing and furniture manufacturing and supplies sector will be congregating at Aseanwood-Woodtech Malaysia 2008 (WTM 2008) held at Putra World Trade Centre from 24-28 September 2008.
WTM 2008 is the only official woodworking trade fair in the ASEAN region held once every three years in Malaysia since its inception in 1994. WTM 2008 is endorsed by the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities Malaysia, the Malaysian Woodworking Machinery Association (MWMA), the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Malaysia Furniture Industry Council (MFIC). It also receives full support from the Malaysia Furniture Entrepreneur Association (MFEA).
On the international level, WTM 2008 is supported by the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (EUMABOIS), the Taiwan Woodworking Machinery Association (TWMA) and their Japanese counterpart, the Chubu Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (Chubu).
 WTM 2008 has confirmed 4 national pavilions from Germany, Italy, Taiwan, and China. AFEMMA is expected to bring in the Spanish pavilion. As of today, China is the largest pavilion with a participation force of 18 companies occupying over 900 sq meters of exhibition space.
The overall exhibition size of WTM 2008 is targeted to be over 25,000 sq meters and is expecting to attract approximately 15,000 visitors from the Asia Pacific region. This is an overall increase of 10% from the exhibition in 2005.
Albert Lai, Managing Director of Trade-Link Management Services Sdn Bhd, organizer of WTM 2008 said, “Aseanwood-Woodtech has been growing more imperative as Malaysia moves from being just an exporter of unprocessed wood to a more focused development of value-added downstream products in the wood-based industry, combining manufacturing activities and research & development as well as product design and market promotion.”
 “Despite the slowdown in Q1 & 2 for the wood-based sector in Malaysia, industry players are still looking forward to a relevant platform to promote their businesses. With the full support from the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities and significant federation and associations around the region, WTM will reinforce Malaysia’s position as a regional production, trading and distribution center for the wood-based industry. With the government’s aim for the wood-based industry to go global, WTM 2008 is poised to open more doors of opportunities.” Lai continues.
Malaysia is the 10th largest exporter of furniture with over 60 export destinations, and is identified as an important segment of Malaysia’s dynamic manufacturing sector, the main driver of economic growth for the country.
 For the year 2007, wood-based activities recorded of an encouraging growth in exports, amounting to RM 22.65 billion, a 60% increase compared to 10 years ago, as reported by the Ministry of Plantation Industries & Commodities recently. It is also indicated that about RM933.4 million in investments were approved, representing about 23.1 percent of total investments in the commodities sector. Of the amount, RM539.1 million were domestic investments and RM394.3 million foreign.
WTM 2008 incorporates Furnitech 2008, the 6th ASEAN International Exhibition of Machinery & Accessories for Furniture Production, Upholstery and Furnishings; and Forest 2008, the 6th ASEAN International Forestry Management, Timber Supply, Handlings and Storage Exhibition.
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