KUALA LUMPUR (April 18): Malaysia's timber export revenue is expected to grow 5% in 2017 from RM21.86 billion a year earlier on a weaker ringgit amid demand from India, China and Eastern Europe nations.

Malaysia's Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong said Malaysia's timber export revenue was also seen rising due to more downstream activities.

"Timber and timber products constitute the country's third most important commodity and commodity-based products exported, after palm oil and rubber. It accounted for 17.9% of the total export earnings of the commodity sector and 2.78% of total export earnings," Mah said in his speech at the Malaysian Timber Council's seminar here today.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur had delivered the speech on behalf of Mah.

According to Mah's speech, major products that contributed to Malaysia's 2016 timber export revenue included furniture, plywood and sawn timber.