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Last Updated: 22 February 2022

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MEDIA STATEMENT

RISE IN CRUDE PALM OIL (CPO) PRICE TO RECORD HIGH BRINGS
HUGE PROFITS TO SMALLHOLDERS NATIONWIDE

1. For the first time in the history of the national palm oil industry, the price of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) hit an all-time-high of RM5,750 per tonnes for two consecutive days on Feb 3 & 4, bringing great news and huge profits to about 400,000 smallholders nationwide.

2. This increase is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), together with the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC) to help the rakyat through various initiatives and Government policies.

3. MPIC will continue to strive to expand the Malaysian palm oil market to overseas markets, especially in West Asia such as in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, given the increase in Malaysian palm oil exports to Turkey with a total 703,588 tonnes in 2021 and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to increase Malaysian palm oil imports to 500,000 tonnes which is estimated to reach RM1.5 billion in value, this year.

4. Recently, following my visit and the MPIC delegation to Saudi Arabia, several memorandums of understanding (MoU) were signed with several companies including the Savola Group, which is the largest importer and distributor of edible oil in Saudi Arabia.

5. In fact, MPIC entered into three areas of cooperation, including the construction of a storage tank terminal in Jeddah; making Saudi Arabia a hub for the reexporting of Malaysian palm oil; and a joint campaign to promote the benefits of Malaysian palm oil to their country and the world. I am confident the country's palm oil industry will continue to thrive in line with the ongoing efforts by this Ministry.

6. Although at this point, there are sanctions imposed by the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) on Malaysian palm oil, MPIC will continue to work hard to ensure the long-term interests of the palm oil industry are safeguarded and will continue assisting palm oil smallholders and other stakeholders.

7. Once again, I call upon all Malaysians to come together with the Ministry in an effort to address anti-palm oil propaganda by Western countries that is clearly aimed at bringing down our country’s palm oil industry. We need to make sure the country's palm oil industry continues to be one of the largest contributors to the national economy.

DATUK HAJAH ZURAIDA KAMARUDDIN
MINISTER OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES
5 FEBRUARI 2022

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Last Updated: 03 March 2022

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MPIC MINISTER ENDS DUBAI TRIP BY EMPHASIZING ON GREATER ROLES FOR WOMEN

Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) Minister, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, who strongly advocates women's rights, yesterday visited the "Women's Pavillion" at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Women's Pavillion unveils creative content and programming that will help reaffirm the Expo’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The pavilion aims to inspire all who enter its doors to become change-makers, breaking stereotypes and deconstructing misconceptions on women’s roles.

The pavilion features five structures with different narratives located on the ground floor: Introduction – expressing the purpose of the pavilion; Achievements – shining a light on women’s impact on the world; Challenges – acknowledging what is holding women back; Solutions – highlighting the initiatives enabling women to thrive so humanity can thrive; and Engaging with visitors – encouraging them to become champions of gender equality and women’s empowerment and take the journey forward.

Zuraida, who is also the founder and president of the Council of Malaysian Women Political Leaders (Comwel) and long championed women's rights said she was happy that the contributions by women were celebrated and recognised at the Expo. “It has been proven that the voices of women are capable of paving greater positive changes and bringing about a better, harmonious and prosperous world. We must never forget that "the hand that rocks the cradle is able to shake the world"”, she said.

During her visit to the Expo from Jan 23 - 27, she also signed four MoUs worth about RM128 million involving industry players in the agricultural commodities sector. Among the MoUs include one between Sharjah Ports & Customs Free Zones Authority and the Timbers Exporters Association of Malaysian (Team) and another between Etlingera Sdn Bhd and Aromology Tradings LLC.

The MoUs were for strategic logistic partnerships, collaborations to encourage use of port and storage facilities aimed to enhance timber export performance in the region, and to also exploit Etlingera's expertise to conduct R&D to produce unique and high quality agarwood products. The other MoUs were between Etlingera Sdn Bhd & Malaccencis Sdn Bhd and the fourth involving the kenaf industry between Kenaf Venture Global dan Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia (BAPPENAS).

Zuraida also launched the Malaysian Rubber Products Virtual Showcase (MaRViS), an online platform that facilitates online business engagements between international buyers and Malaysian rubber product manufacturers. MaRViS is developed by the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) to facilitate online business engagements as well as virtual trade shows for Malaysian rubber product manufacturers and elevates the experience and trade potential with buyers globally regardless of geographical boundaries.

On women's rights, she said MPIC had made it a point to ensure women make up 34 per cent of board members and other positions in the various agencies under its purview. “In our ministry, we greatly recognise the roles played by women and want to ensure they are given a fair representation. Women have great potential and are very dedicated and often go beyond their expectations to ensure excellence in their work”, said Zuraida. She also said her ministry was also working toward offering greater opportunities for youth to also take up prominent positions where they can shine.

Overall, women holding decision-making positions in government agencies in Malaysia was currently at 38.2 per cent. “We have women as chairmen, chief executive officers and also as board members. Overall, we have a 34 per cent representation of women. Also, I want to stress here that all the women in our agencies are professionals and well qualified. No position was awarded to any of them as a token. We will continue to ensure fair women representation and urge other ministries to also given women equal opportunities”, added Zuraida.

Among the women board members and those in other positions in agencies under MPIC include Datuk Zunaidah Idris (Institute of Malaysian Plantation and Commodities (IMPAC); Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim (Malaysian Rubber Board); and Datuk Hazimah Zainudin (Malaysian Palm Oil Board).

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES

27 JANUARY 2022

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION UNIT

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Last Updated: 22 February 2022

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MEDIA STATEMENT

MALAYSIAN MINISTER LAUNCHES COMMODITIES INTEGRATION
MARKETING COMPANY IN JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA TO
STRENGTHEN MARKET POSITION

27 January 2022

1. Hon. Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities of Malaysia officially launched the agricommodity regional office in Jeddah during a ministerial mission to Saudi Arabia followed by a Roundtable Discussion with the representatives of Palm Oil, Rubber and Timber Industries of Saudi Arabia to strengthen market position in this region for Malaysia’s agricommodity sectors.

2. The Commodities Integration Marketing Company (CIMC), the first of its kind in the Middle East, houses three government-linked organisations under one roof, namely Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) and Malaysian Timber Council (MTC).

3. The set-up of this agricommodity office is integral to facilitate the development and cooperation among Malaysian commodities and the local industries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, particularly Saudi Arabia. This will also lead to greater opportunities in enhancing trade for both countries.

4. Malaysian agricommodity products are well established in the world market and most are daily life essentials such as cooking oil, cosmetics, soap, gloves and house furniture and commonly used products in the industrial sector such as biofuel, structural bearings, automotive parts and building panels. Malaysia is not only recognised as the world’s largest exporter of rubber gloves and second largest exporter of crude palm oil, its agricommodity products are also known for its high quality and can be found in most parts of the world.

5. In 2020, Malaysian agricommodity export value to the Middle East and North Africa recorded a total of USD2.37 billion while rubber and its products recorded an export value of USD535 million. Similarly, timber and timber products recorded an export value of USD324.5 million whereas palm oil and palm oil products recorded USD1.51 billion.

6. Commodities Integration Marketing Company (CIMC) in Jeddah will act as the Malaysian Commodity Hub to foster international relations through various initiatives that are critical for the improvement and acceptance of Malaysian agricommodity products in the global market. The Ministry believes, the office in Jeddah is a testimony from both countries to deliver high quality Malaysian agricommodity products to Middle East and Africa in a responsible and sustainable manner.

7. In addition, Saudi Arabia has also committed to increase its imports of Malaysian palm oil from 318,000 tonnes, worth RM900 million last year to 500,000 tonnes, an increase of 182,000 tonnes with an estimated worth of RM1.5 billion this year.

HON. DATUK HAJAH ZURAIDA KAMARUDDIN
Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities of Malaysia
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
27th January 2022

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Last Updated: 22 February 2022

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MEDIA STATEMENT

MALAYSIA SUSTAINABLE AGRICOMMODITY WEEK
(NON FOOD AGRICOMMODITIES) AT DUBAI 2020 EXPO

1. The agricommodity sector is one of Malaysia's main economic drivers, contributing significantly to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), export earnings, jobs, and business opportunities, including elevating the standard of living of our smallholders. For many years, the agricommodity sector has been Malaysia's vital instrument in reducing poverty in Malaysia.

2. Understanding the global demand for sustainable agri-commodities, the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC), as the Platinum Premier Partner for Malaysia Pavillion in Dubai 2020 Expo, is proud to showcase Malaysia's journey, efforts, and initiatives towards sustainable agricommodity sector.

3. The theme of the exhibition and lineup of events focus on the efforts undertaken by Malaysia towards advancing the Agricommodity sector in a sustainable manner while promoting its goodness and versatile applications of the agricommodities. The advancement and development of the agricommodity industry support and embed the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the plantation policies and management.

4. For Week 17, MPIC will host the Sustainable Agricommodity Week (Non-Food Agricommodities), running from 23rd January to 29th January 2022, as part of the 26 weekly thematic trade and business programmes organised by Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai. The event will be officiated by The Honourable Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Malaysia, Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin. Malaysia's participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is spearheaded by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) with Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation as implementing agency. The week will focus on non-food agricultural commodities of Malaysia such as rubber, timber, and kenaf.

5. Among the week's highlights is the Malaysian Rubber Products Virtual Showcase (MaRViS). This online platform facilitates online business engagements between international buyers and Malaysian rubber product manufacturers by Malaysia Rubber Council, TimbeReality, a dedicated VR platform that displays Malaysian-made timber and furniture products by Malaysia Timber Council, The Rubber Forum 2022 organised by Malaysia Rubber Board and Malaysia Wood Expo 2022 by the Malaysia Timber Board. The Honourable Minister will also witness the signing of four Memorandum of Understandings, three from the timber subsector and one from the Kenaf subsector.

6. MPIC and its agencies have also lined up exciting activities for visitors to the Malaysia Pavilion, such as interactive latex painting arts, agarwood product demonstrations, rubber clay modeling, kenaf demonstration, and special talks on Malaysia kenaf, timber, and Malaysian sustainable timber certification.

7. Despite the rough economic climate worldwide, Malaysia's agricommodity trade continues to perform reasonably well. From January to November 2021, the agricommodity sector has contributed total export revenue of RM189.5 billion to the Malaysian economy. This value has exceeded Malaysia's total export revenue for 2020 of RM152 billion. Therefore, MPIC will continue to raise more awareness, expand its network and global alliances, and share the importance of our sustainable agricommodities efforts through Expo 2020 Dubai.

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES
24 JANUARY 2022