Even though different countries have been reporting economic contractions and warning about further slowdowns, the wood and wood products sectors in Asia have performed surprisingly well given the circumstances. There would likely remain many challenges ahead, but there are signs of possible recovery. ITTO tells us more about the latest around the world.
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Even with more and more countries slowly easing their control measures, most economies are still reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Early data has indicated tougher times ahead, but there are still some signs of optimism. ITTO shares more on the latest developments around the globe.
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The lack of knowledgeable and skilled workers is a major challenge faced by the Malaysian furniture sector. This study is part of an on-going Erasmus+ program funded by the European Commission, initiated in 2018 to develop a university-level education program to train workers capable of handling Industry 4.0 technologies for the furniture and wood industry in Malaysia. The results revealed that manufacturers of wood-based panel and metal furniture were more prepared to adopt automation and Industry 4.0 technologies compared to solid-wood and leather furniture manufacturers. By Jegatheswaran Ratnasingam, Lee Y Yi, Amir A A Azim, Rasmina Halis, Muhamad M M Daud and Abdul L Senin, Hazirah A Latib, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Lim Choon Liat, Malaysian Furniture Council, Maria V Bueno, Universidad Politecnica De Cartagena, Marcin Zbiec, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Josefina Garrido and Juanjo Ortega, Technological Centre of Furniture and Wood of the Region of Murcia, María V Gómez, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Rokiah Hashim, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Sarani Zakaria, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Shahriman Z Abidin, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia, and Mohd Nor Z M Amin, Malaysian Timber Industry Board
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The coronavirus outbreak has caused disruptions to production and trade, and brought about a gloomy economic outlook. How are the countries responding? What is the impact so far? ITTO shares more about the happenings about the world.
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The global market closed 2019 on uncertain terms with participants looking at ways to navigate the turbulent waves and find new opportunities. ITTO tells us more about what is happening in terms of production, trades and certification.
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Southeast Asia is pose for new trade opportunities with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership; governments across Asia are helping their industries stay competitive amid the current economic uncertainties; wood industries around the region continues to move towards certified and green production, ITTO shares more about the happenings in Asia.
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The global market is affected by economic uncertainties such as the trade war between China and the US, and the imminent Brexit. Southeast Asian countries are bracing themselves for the changes ahead, especially with new traction on the implementation of the certification programs. ITTO tells us more about the happenings around the global wood market
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As the effects of the China-US trade war continue to intensify, countries around the world are adjusting in face of the new opportunities and challenges. ITTO shares more on the latest happenings around the market.
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Latest economic data is showing signs of vitality and governments around the world are stepping up their efforts to expand key sectors to grab market share. Once again, certification has become a double-edge sword that hinders development in some places, while bringing both tangible and intangible benefits in others. With Ligna just around the corner, ITTO gives us a timely look at the European timber market.
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Import of wood and wood products grew, but the uncertain economic outlook continued to weigh on the sentiment in some markets; countries continue to show their intent in eradicating illegal logging, and different stakeholders are working together on certification and policy-making; on the trade front, countries are strengthening their trade relationships amid the turmoil between the US and China. ITTO gives us insights on the happenings around the world.
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