KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- The Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) is looking into ways to advance the Malaysian palm oil industry, assisting scientists at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to prioritise their research and development programme.

This, according to MPOB chairman Datuk Sabri Ahmad, is to ensure that the palm oil industry continues to be competitive, vibrant and dynamic in the global market.

"We are now having the PAC meeting for the whole of this week from April 9," he told Bernama here.

Sabri said PAC, with its members comprising local and foreign scientists, and captains of the industry, was helping MPOB scientists on what needed to be done as priority for the industry.

"So it is check and balance in terms of priority for R&D (research and development) work," he said.

PAC has four committees -- processing engineering and oleochemical, biology, technical promotion and commercial, and nutrition.

Sabri said the current meeting would provide new impetus to prioritise research, look at trends and offer suggestions on new direction.

He said since its inception, MPOB has played an active role in developing new technologies which contributed to the advancement of the palm oil industry.

The board, he added, provides and promotes scientific and technological support through its commitment to R&D, the commercialisation of its research findings, and the transfer of knowledge and innovation.

According to Sabri, MPOB intends to continue developing its research expertise in various areas.

He said it has so far launched more than 340 technologies, including new products and services, for commercialisation and adoption by the industry.

"It is MPOB's vision to strive for quality R&D output and to become Malaysia's first research institution to produce a Nobel Laureate," he added.

MPOB derives its funding mainly from cess imposed on the industry for every tonne of palm oil and palm kernel oil produced.

It also receives budget allocation from the government to fund development projects and for approved research projects under the Intensification of Research in Priority Areas (IPRA) programme.

-- BERNAMA