KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says without condoms, of which Malaysia is the world's largest producer, the world population could have been 10 billion.
“Imagine the world without condom, our population could have been 10 billion instead of the current seven billion,” Dr Mahathir said in jest when launching the International Rubber Glove Conference and Exhibition (IRGCE) 2018 here today.
“So, the rubber performs a great duty to humanity,” he added.
Goh Miah Kiat, chief executive officer of Karex Bhd, which is the world’s largest condom manufacturer, said the global market for condoms continued to expand, driven by increasing usage of condoms for family planning and protection against sexually-transmitted diseases.
Goh said the low per capita consumption of condoms in Asia offeredd huge untapped potential for growth. Aggressive marketing via social media is being pursued in several under-developed countries.
“Last year, we launched the Nasi Lemak condoms and the response is good. Backed by popular requests, we will soon launch our Teh Tarik condoms,” he told NSTP at the sidelines of the IRGCE 2018.
As the world's largest condom exporter, Karex produces five billion condoms annually from its four factories in Malaysia and Thailand, with much of its bulk supply channelled to governments or international agencies for safe-sex drives.
Under the 2016 Budget, the government accorded reinvestment allowance to manufacturers, with up to 60 per cent of the allowed capital expenditure for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Condom manufacturers like Kare have and will continue to pump in a lot of money, time and effort to automate many processes along its production lines.
"Automation is key to ramping up productivity. Government incentives, such as the raising the limit of reinvestment allowance and extending it beyond 2018, is vital for capital intensive businesses such as ours," Goh said.
Unknown to many, since 2009, Malaysia is the world's largest producer of condoms and continues to lead with exports.
According to the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council, the country exported RM436.80 million worth of condoms last year.