27/12/2016 (Bernama) - YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Malaysia held a bilateral discussion with H.E. Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Republic of Indonesia on Thursday, 22 December 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs is now in charge of Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), which was previously under the purview of the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs. Malaysia and Indonesia are founding members of CPOPC which is aimed at among others to strengthen cooperation among the oil palm planting countries.

In this context, the Ministers agreed that priority be accorded in inviting other oil palm producing countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Thailand and Papua New Guinea. This will contribute towards further strengthening the role of palm oil producing countries in addressing evolving international trade barriers to palm oil. These includes anti palm oil labelling on the grounds on nutritional and environmental concerns. In this context, the Ministers agreed that CPOPC Ministerial Mission to major palm oil importing countries be held in 2017.
 
In addition, the Ministers agreed the focus also be given to the following activities:

• Establishing a private sector and smallholders’ forum to discuss and propose measures towards strengthening cooperation in the oil palm industry, including development of smallholders in both countries;
• CPOPC to spearhead the cooperation in promoting the benefits of palm oil to the world among its members; and
• CPOPC as a joint platform for experience sharing on biodiesel mandate implementation to address energy and environment sustainability issues. Indonesia is currently implementing B20 biodiesel mandate.

The Ministers also tasked the CPOPC Secretariat in Jakarta to strengthen its manpower. This will allow CPOPC better plan and spearhead promotional activities related to palm oil.
 
Indonesia and Malaysia are the major global palm oil producers and jointly account for 85% of global production and 91.2% of global exports. The establishment of CPOPC is expected to further strengthen cooperation among oil palm producing countries and address evolving isues related to palm oil.
 
 
SOURCE : Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC)

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