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The MTE is the State institution which is solely authorised to real estate projects.
extract timber from the natural forest. This helped the economy grow at a remarkable 7.6
Commentators in Myanmar are of the opinion that timber percent in the quarter. In contrast, Western economies have
from the private plantations and non-timber forest products been squeezed by high interest rates and energy prices while
(NTFP) could be exempted from sanctions since there is no the economy in China has been hit by a debt crisis in its
direct or indirect involvement of the MTE. property sector.

Myanmar furniture makers eye the domestic market Land owners to see gains from planting commercial
The Myanmar Wood-Based Furniture Association (MWBFA) tree species
sponsored the Myanmar Furniture Exhibition 2023 at a popular The new law on forest conservation exempts agroforestry and
shopping mall to promote sales in the domestic market in the plantations from regulatory oversight which, it is anticipated,
face of falling international demand and trade restrictions. This will encourage land owners to plant commercial tree species.
event was timed to be during the so-called ‘marriage season’ As a follow up to the new law, the central government
when demand for furniture rises. has published a fact sheet listing 36 species that it suggests
Furniture manufacturers face a major challenge from imported for various climatic zones in the country.

furniture which is often cheaper than locally made items. The 36 species include Leucaena leucocephala or subabul
In addition to the classic designs with solid wood, and various varieties of eucalyptus. The list also includes
manufacturers have started to use the fnger-jointed plantation important timber species such as poplar, teak, shisham (Indian
teak. rosewood) and mahogany.
Myanmar teak was in demand in international markets for Domestic production of teak in India is considered to
garden furniture but this market has closed due to international be less than three percent of consumption and as demand
measures against Myanmar wood products and the strict increases this has driven up prices.

domestic regulation of export procedures for wood products The preamble of the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act
some of which have been eased recently. 2023 focuses on achieving India’s goal of net-zero greenhouse
gas emissions by 2070.
INDIA Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, is reported a saying
Weak demand for flm faced plywood it is clearly indicated in the new Bill that private land owners
Plywood manufacturers have reported that demand for flm
faced plywood has weakened in the past months. This type wirestock
of plywood is mainly used in construction and in October
and November demand from construction companies fell.

In particular, demand in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi has been
slow, and this has been put down to the effect on construction
activity of the very high air pollution. Observers point out that
air pollution issues are a yearly phenomenon.
The other reasons for the slowdown is the Diwali festive
season when work slows across the country. The current
slow market is expected to recover with the launch of new