29/10/2012 (Bernama) - Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, YB Tan Sri Bernard Dompok will be leading a Working Visit covering palm oil and timber products to Myanmar, from 29 October until 1 November 2012. The delegation comprises representatives from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) and Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC).

The objectives of the working visit are as follows:

• To strengthen bilateral trade in palm oil and timber products between Malaysia and Myanmar; and
• To strengthen business linkages between the private sectors in Malaysia and Myanmar.

During the visit, YB Tan Sri Bernard Dompok will convene bilateral discussions with Ministers’ responsible for Forestry, Agriculture and Commerce. In addition, the Minister will convene discussion with Malaysian Myanmar Business Council (MMBC) and officiate the Seminar on Timber Trade Development which will be participated by private sectors from Malaysia and Myanmar. The seminar is aimed at updating each other on the current development of timber industry in both countries.

Myanmar is among the major export destination for commodity products. In 2011, total exports of commodity products covering palm oil, timber,rubber, cocoa and pepper was valued at RM917.4 million. Among the commodity products, palm oil was the major product exported valued at RM899 million, followed by rubber products at RM9.05 million and timber products at 7.5million.

In the case of imports, total imports of commodity products was valued at RM355.7 million in 2011. The products imported were rubber products valued at RM292.61 million and timber products valued at RM63.1 million.