COOPERATION SEALED: Hamden (left) and Robertus exchange the signed documents while Hamed (second left) and Len (third left) look on.

18/01/2012 (Borneo Post) - Sarawak Plantation Agriculture Development (SPAD) Sdn Bhd a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Plantation Berhad signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PT Citra Widya Education (CWE) Jakarta here yesterday.

With the MoU, the two parties will establish and develop academic exchange and cooperation in teaching, training, recruitment, research and development in oil palm plantation and mill management for supervisory and operational employees of SPAD.

SPAD was represented by its group managing director Datuk Hamden Ahmad, while CWE by its director Robertus Iskandar Kristantoro. Witnessing the signing ceremony which was held at one of leading hotels here was Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (promotion of technical education) Datu Len Talif Salleh.

With the MoU an oil palm training centre will be set up at Lambir, which will have its first intake this year.

According to Len, the oil palm industry was facing several challenges such as climate change, lack of manpower and limited access to the market.

“It is important for Malaysia and Indonesia to address these problems and cooperate for the betterment of the industry,” he said.

He added the MoU was a good move; that it was moving in the right direction as Malaysia and Indonesia contributed about 80 per cent of palm oil to the world market.

He said the two countries should direct the palm oil market at their own pace without influence from outsiders for their own benefit.

Len, who is also Belawai assemblyman said the state government recognised the oil palm industry due to its major contributor to the state’s economy.

SPAD chairman Datuk Hamed Sepawi, meanwhile, hoped that the government would provide financial assistance for students attending course at the training centre.

He said that developing human capital was important for the industry as it would play a role in the development of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

“We will also assist the government to provide the manpower for the sector,” Hamed said.