MEDIA RELEASE
MINISTER OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES EMBARKS ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO INDIA
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation and Commodities, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, along with a high-level delegation from the Ministry, including representatives from MPOB, MPOC, MRB and FELDA, is scheduled to embark on an official visit to India from 24 to 28 September 2023. This visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and explore opportunities for collaboration in the plantation and commodities sector between Malaysia and India.
The visit will also encompass a series of high-level meetings with key government officials and other relevant stakeholders, focusing on discussions regarding trade, agriculture, food security and safety.
One of the highlights of the visit will be engagements with the Telangana State Government and the Telangana oil palm farmers and smallholders. This engagement will discuss various collaboration and cooperation opportunities as well as market access for Malaysian palm oil in the region.
During his visit, YAB Deputy Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend the 2nd Sustainable Vegetable Oil Conference, organised in collaboration with the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC). This conference will bring together key stakeholders in the vegetable oil industry to discuss global trends and sustainable practices.
India is the fourth-largest trading partner for Malaysia's Agri-Commodity Sector and has played a pivotal role in this contribution. In 2022, exports of Malaysian agri-commodities to India accounted for 9.9% of the total international market share, valued at RM20.49 billion – an increase of 0.4% from RM20.4 billion in 2021. The primary products exported to India were palm-based products (RM18.45 billion), followed by timber (RM1.01 billion) and rubber (RM943 million). India has also identified 0.6 million hectares, especially in Telangana, for oil palm cultivation, signalling strategic collaboration opportunities with Malaysia in research and development, planting management, and downstream product development.
One of the mission’s key objectives is to secure recognition for the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme within India's palm oil industry. A significant milestone has been achieved with the elevation of the Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme to MS2503:2022 (MSPO2.0). MSPO2.0 seamlessly aligns with global sustainability requirements, including United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), No Deforestation, Peat, and Exploitation (NDPE), and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) elements.
Given India's pivotal position as the largest consumer of palm oil, the adoption of MSPO2.0 standards by India's vegetable oil processing facilities will enhance recognition and promote adherence to these globally recognised sustainability standards. Additionally, it will also bolster support for the India Palm Oil Sustainability Framework (IPOS).
MINISTRY OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES
22nd SEPTEMBER 2023