Malaysia's bonsai industry poised for global growth, says Nga
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s pool of world-class bonsai expertise represents a significant and largely untapped opportunity to elevate the craft beyond a recreational pastime into a more professional and commercially viable industry, capitalising on rising international demand.
Malaysia's bonsai industry, overseen by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, is positioned for substantial global expansion, according to the minister's remarks at the launch of the 10th World Bonsai Convention 2026. The country boasts a wealth of expertise, abundant biodiversity, a skilled community of artists, and a burgeoning international interest in the craft.
Currently, Malaysia's bonsai and landscape industry contributes an estimated RM40 billion annually to the economy. Nga emphasized that transforming this passion-driven sector into a professional, commercially viable industry is essential for global recognition. While international demand is evident, with collectors from various Asian nations seeking bonsai specimens and materials, the sector currently struggles with limited high-quality bonsai supply.
Malaysia, akin to countries like Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea, possesses the foundational elements to develop a comprehensive bonsai ecosystem, encompassing cultivation, nurseries, exhibitions, tourism, trade, and international exports. The National Landscape Department under the Housing and Local Government Ministry aims to collaborate with industry stakeholders to integrate bonsai more deeply into Malaysia's broader landscape, horticultural, and creative industries.
By focusing on cultivation techniques, skills development, branding, tourism, and international promotional campaigns, Malaysia aims to produce bonsai valued not just for its aesthetic beauty but also for the knowledge, artists, entrepreneurs, and economic opportunities it generates. The 2026 World Bonsai Convention, hosted for the first time in Malaysia, serves as a pivotal platform for further industry growth, attracting participants from over 40 countries.
Since 1988, Malaysia's bonsai community has grown with more than 10 associations active nationwide, reflecting the craft's increasing prominence and vibrancy.
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