Page 6 - FDMAsia Jan/Feb 2026

4 EDITORIAL JAN/FEB 2026 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com

Published by:
NEW EASTERN MEDIA CO., LTD
managing director
For Better Kenneth Tan
kentan@fdmasia.com
Jackie Wong
editor
Or Worse assistant editor
jackiewong@fdmasia.com

Sandy Sun
sandy.sun@fdmasia.com
graphic designer
Lu Ying
he year 2026 started off on an ominous note with further escalation designer@fdmasia.com
of geopolitical tension, more disruptions to trade, and not the most business manager
Ding Yongmei
Tencouraging economic outlook. ding@fdmasia.com
Analysts’ opinion of the year ahead is mixed, with some expecting a marginally marketing assistant

Wasabi Liu
better performance than 2025, while others believe that 2026 would be worse off wasabi.liu@fdmasia.com
operations executive
and 2027 is when the market recovery will start. Martin
martin@fdmasia.com
Nevertheless, as a door closes, another opens. Countries are now working
circulation executive
on trade deals to reduce reliance on certain trade partners and bring in new Steven Sheng
circulation@fdmasia.com
opportunities. contributors
As competition intensifies, differentiation is increasingly important. In fact, ITTO
AHEC
value-added, sustainable and design-driven products are expected to spearhead Aileen Yeo
Jerome Tan
growth for the woodworking sector. Dario Pervan
Stjepan Pervan
Governments are doing their part by introducing incentives and removing Miljenko Klarić
Jure Žigon
trade barriers through regulatory frameworks. Companies will also have to do Aleš Straže
that part to upgrade their production processes and product portfolio to stay
ahead of the game.
Whether this year ends up being a better or less ideal one, there are bound
to be many changes and plenty to look forward to.

Jackie Wong