Kuala lumpur: A total of 1,533 furniture projects have been approved with an investment value amounting to RM11.62 billion as of March this year, said Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong. He noted that 62 percent of these investments were from domestic sources, while the remaining 38 percent were foreign investments.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), through the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), continues to offer the market development grant (MDG) to eligible Malaysian companies participating in international trade promotion activities. For international trade promotion activities held overseas, MATRADE offers RM25,000, whereas RM5,000 is offered for local international trade promotion activities.

Liew was responding to a query from Tan Hong Pin (PH-Bakri) regarding the development of a long-term plan for the furniture industry with realistic and flexible policies. He revealed that to date, a total of 314 furniture companies have benefited from the MDG, with 4,148 MDG applications approved, marking the highest number among all industries. A total of RM12.25 million in MDG grants has been disbursed to furniture industry companies, contributing to RM1.46 billion in export sales from January 2021 to 30 July 2025.

Meanwhile, the deputy minister addressed concerns about foreign companies disrupting the local furniture market ecosystem. Although there are no restrictions on investing in the furniture sector in Malaysia, the government, through MIDA, plans to no longer encourage foreign investments, particularly labour-intensive ones, in the national furniture sector. All MIDA offices abroad will be informed that the furniture sector no longer requires foreign investment, as Malaysia’s industry has already reached a leading position on the global stage.