20/03/2012 (Bernama) - Minister Of Plantation Industries And Commodities, Y.B. Tan Sri Bernard Dompok Will Be Leading A Palm Oil And Timber Working Visit To The United Sates Of America (US) From 20-31 March 2012. The Itinerary Of The Visit Includes A Joint Malaysia-Indonesia Ministerial Mission To Promote Palm Oil. The Delegation Comprises Of Representatives From Both Public Sector And Private Sector.

The objectives of the visit are as follows:

- Dialogue with United States Cabinet Ministers, industry associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on the sustainability of palm oil;
- To inform on measures undertaken by Malaysia and Indonesia on sustainable production of palm oil; and
- Promote the exports of palm oil and timber products from Malaysia to the US market.

The programme of the visit include bilateral meeting with US Department of Labour and meeting with private sector representatives. The itinerary of the Joint Malaysia-Indonesia Ministerial mission covers:

- Meeting with US Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce and United States Trade Representative; and
- Discussion with NGOs, industry leaders and government representatives.

In addition, Y.B Tan Sri Bernard Dompok will address the 54th Meeting of the International Wood Products Association (IWPA) in Los Angeles, US on Thursday, 29 March 2012. The IWPA represents major importers of wood products in the US and provides an opportunity to Malaysia to further promote exports of timber products to the US market.

The United States is a major market for commodity related products. In the case of palm oil, the United Sates is the fifth largest export destination for Malaysia’s palm oil with exports in 2011 valued at RM5.9 billion. This represents an increase of 35% compared to RM4.39 billion in 2010. The major palm oil products exported include palm oil, palm kernel oil, oleochemicals and finished products.

In addition to palm oil products, other commodity related products exported to the United States in 2011 includes timber products valued at RM20.02 billion, rubber products at RM4.23 billion, cocoa products valued at RM820 million and pepper products valued at RM3.79 million.