KUALA LUMPUR (March 17): Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) which sees India as a new market for timber products, is expecting Malaysia's exports of timber and timber products to be maintained at current growth.

Malaysia's exports of timber and timber products in 2015 increased by 6.5% to RM22.14 billion, compared to RM20.78 billion in 2014.

"The industry outlook for 2016 is quite positive...we see some growth from the United States in building construction," MTC's chief executing officer Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahim Nik said while speaking to reporters at the sidelines of MTC Marketing Seminar 2016.

"I expect we can at least maintain current growth from last year, " he added.

Abdul Rahim also highlighted that the association is looking into new markets such as India for new growth, besides traditional markets.

He sees potential for the country due to its growth in middle class and demand in timber products from Malaysia.

In 2015, India imported about RM1.89 billion worth of timber and timber products from Malaysia, an increase of 6.3% compared to 2014.

He said the association planned to establish an office in India by third quarter of this year, to tap into that market.

He also said the association is looking into China, but as China is also Malaysia's competitor, Malaysia has to find its niche products to increase market share in China.

"We have to mitigate the competition from China and Vietnam by providing better quality products," he added.