Themed "Opportunities for Malaysia-Africa Partnership for Food, Fuel and Feed Industries," MA-POTS is being organised by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) in efforts to enhance trade and build new links with buyers and traders of Malaysian palm oil in the continent.

MPOC will use the fair as a platform to boost the Malaysian palm oil profile and create awareness of the commodity's nutritional benefits and advantages for the food, fuel and feed industries in South Africa.

MA-POTS will be held in conjunction with Africa's Big Seven, the continent's leading food industry show, and Halal World 2007, an event supported and endorsed by the South African National Halal Authority (SANHA).

According to MPOC's publication "Malaysian Palm Oil on Fortune," made available to Bernama here, Africa's Big Seven is expected to attract exhibitors from more than 57 countries.

In recent years, the event has developed a formidable reputation internationally as a platform that delivers business results and has succeeded in bridging the gap between buyers and sellers.

A line-up of speakers has been drawn up for MA-POTS. including the general manager of Felda Bridge Africa, Bryce Varner, who will speak on the market potential for palm oil in South Africa, and other major traders in Sub-Saharan Africa, who will touch on topics like the supply and demand and transportation challenges for oils and fats.

The event will also see the second International Halal Conference for Africa on July 16 and a showcase of halal certified industries, which will create opportunities for players in the Halal products to network.

During the conference, speakers from the U.S., New Zealand, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Malawi and South Africa will share their experiences on issues such as Halal certification, import regulators, challenges facing the halal world and opportunities for Africa and beyond.

Malaysia, one of three suppliers of palm oil to Africa, holds nearly 80 percent of the market share and this was reflected last year when Malaysia's exports jumped 54.2 percent to 1.16 million tonnes from 751,451 tonnes in 2005.

Last year, palm oil imports accounted for 1.49 million tonnes of Africa's oils and fats intake of 1.96 million tonnes.

MA-POTS is the third held this year, the first being in Pakistan and the second in Egypt.

The Big Seven comprise the Pan Africa Retail Trade Exhibiton, the Meat Industry Fair (IFMA), Retail Solutions Africa, Agri-Food, InterBake Africa, FoodTech Africa and Stationery Housewares Africa.

-- BERNAMA