Malaysia’s forests are of economic, social and environmental importance both to the region and globally. Worldwide climate change has focused interest on carbon reservoirs. Ensuring that Malaysia’s forests can continue both to supply raw materials for the full range of goods and services that are vital to the economy and to function as carbon reservoirs has necessitated a paradigm shift from simple timber production to a sustainable and multifunctional forestry industry. The institutional and statutory framework is already largely in place; remaining issues centre on operationalising the new systems.

New trade legislation means that only legal timber may now be imported into the European Union. Hence, new mechanisms are required to monitor the product chain, from forests in Malaysia to the European importer. Systems are also needed to ensure that Malaysia’s forestry and timber industries comply with all relevant national legislation. Training for forestry workers therefore has to be adapted to the new requirements.

Against this backdrop, GIZ is focusing on:

• University training in forestry
• The legality of timber products

Within the framework of German development cooperation, GIZ is working in Malaysia with Germany’s International Placement Service (ZAV) and the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM).

GTZ has worked in Malaysia on behalf of the German Government for over 20 years. However, Malaysia’s success in economic development terms means that bilateral technical cooperation will come to an end in 2011. The GIZ Office in Bangkok will now be responsible for the administration of projects in Malaysia.