05/09/2016 (Bernama) - The Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, will be leading the Palm Oil, Rubber and Timber Promotion Mission to Belgium, France and United Kingdom on 5th September 2016. During the mission, the Minister and the delegations will be meeting ministers, MPs and government officials from the relevant European countries and United Kingdom.

The objectives of this mission are to:

- engage key stakeholders, including members of European Parliament and Commission on the sustainable perspectives in palm oil production;

- address increasing concern on the French food taxation and food safety issues relating to palm oil as well as timber certification matters in Netherland; and

- explore market opportunities for palm oil and other commodity based products in France, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

During the mission, YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong will officiate and deliver a keynote address at the Seminar on Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) & Palm Oil related Food Safety Issues in Brussels on 5 September 2016. This seminar will focus on measures undertaken by Malaysia to ensure the safety of palm oil. In addition, this seminar is also aimed at dissemination information on the measures undertaken by Malaysia to provide certified sustainable palm oil under the MSPO Certification Scheme. 

The European Union (EU) is a major export destination for Malaysia’s commodity products. In 2015, exports of commodity products to the EU were valued at RM17.6 billion. Palm oil products accounted for RM9.7 billion (55.1% of total commodity exports), rubber products at RM5.4 billion (30.7%), timber and timber products at RM2.1 billion (11.9%), cocoa products at RM380 million (2.2%) and pepper products at RM33.8 million (0.2%).

The United Kingdom (UK) is also a major market for commodity products. In 2015, the total export of commodity products to the UK was valued at RM1.8 billion. Exports of rubber products was valued at RM796.6 million (44.3%), timber and timber products at RM798.7 million (44.4%), palm oil products at RM198.2 million (11%), cocoa products at RM2.7 million (0.1%) and pepper products at RM0.2 million (0.01%).

Source : Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : Hairun Sulung Nabuat
Unit Komunikasi Korporat
Kementerian Perusahaan Perladangan dan Komoditi (MPIC)
Tel     : 03 – 8887 8237 / 019 – 353 3900
Fax    : 03 – 8887 8205
Email : hairunsn@mpic.gov.my