12/12/05 PUTRAJAYA, (Bernama) -- Malaysia and South Korea, Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration in research and development (R&D) relating to biofuels, particularly oil palm based.

The director general of Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron, said under the deal both parties will explore specific R&D projects that will enhance the use of palm oil based biodiesel in Korea.

"Palm oil based biodiesel produced by MPOB may be sent to KIER (Korean Institute of Energy Research) for joint evaluation particularly in relation to its use in the Korean environment and Korean engines.

"If required, both parties could also work on the development of palm oil biodiesel standards for Korea," he said at the signing of the MoU at the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, here Monday.

Another MoU was also signed between Ecosolution Co. Ltd Korea and POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd towards joint ventures in the production of biodiesel.

At a press conference later, Yusof said the research on palm oil based biodiesel would be carried out as soon as possible.

"We would be sending in the samples fast as they need to know how our palm oil could be preserved and used in Korea both during the warm and cold weather," he said.

Up till today, Yusof said that Malaysia had worked with several countries such as Hong Kong and Germany towards producing oil palm based biodiesel.

"We have been cooperating and testing the biodiesel in Hong Kong for the last six months."

The testing in Germany was done last year, he added.

-- BERNAMA