KUALA LUMPUR: Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong is leading an Economic and Promotional Mission on palm oil and rubber to the Philippines from July 18 to 20.
In a statement today, Mah said his delegation comprises representatives from his Ministry, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) and Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC).
In Manila, Mah will convene bilateral discussions with the Philippines Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon M. Lopez and Secretary of Energy Alfonso G. Cusi. In addition, he will also will also chair dialogue sessions with palm oil and rubber importers there.
“While we look to raise consumption of our palm oil, timber and rubber products in traditional markets, we must also tap into emerging markets. This trip to the Philippines is aimed at enhancing Malaysia’s exports of palm oil and rubber,” Mah said.
“Last year, Malaysia’s palm oil and rubber exports to the Philippines amounted to RM2.46 billion. I think there is good prospects of higher exports, this year,” he added.
The minister noted in the first five months of this year, Malaysia exported RM1 billion worth of palm oil products and RM98.3 million worth of rubber products to the Philippines, were already 12.2 per cent and 48.5 per cent more than last year’s same five months.