CHANGLOON, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Felda will give special focus oncommercialising its products such as palm oil and products made from it inforeign countries, especially on the African continent.

Felda Chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohamed Yusof Noor said Saturday among thecountries with potential were South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Japan andSouth Korea.

"This is a huge leap that Felda is taking, but it is in response to thegovernment's call to revamp the agricultural sector," he told reportersafter launching Kembara Patriotik Merdeka Felda at Felda Laka Selatanhere.

He said Felda now exports its products to China, India, Pakistan, SriLanka and countries in the Middle East.

In tabling the 2005 Budget Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri AbdullahAhmad Badawi, said the government will revamp the agricultural sector tomake it the third engine of growth after the manufacturing and servicessectors.

Mohamed Yusof said Felda would also improve its packaging in addition toencouraging settlers to participate in the entrepreneurial sector.

On the allocation for Felda in the 2005 Budget, he said the amount wasstill unknown and Felda would prepare a detailed programme to be submittedto the government.

Felda was studying the structure of the Security and Development PlanningCommittee (JKKR) so that its functions would not overlap with those of theVillage Development and Security Committee (JKKK).

He said the Felda Board planned to merge the two to simplifyadministration matters.

-- BERNAMA