3 Apr 2019 (Daily Express) Kuala Lumpur: France will not ban the import of palm oil, said its Ambassador to Malaysia Frederic Laplanche (pic). Commenting on palm oil sanctions in European countries, Laplanche said France does not and will not block the commodity. 

“What’s happening in Europe is the ban on palm oil consumption as biofuel. This is because of the criticisms by the European community against deforestation to make way for oil palm cultivation,” he said, Tuesday. 

“However, in my opinion, Malaysia, especially the Sabah Government, has been doing excellent forest conservation and rehabilitation, including plans to expand oil palm plantation and deforestation according to the prescribed limits to protect the environment. “The plan is a very good policy and France fully supports the approach in regaining palm oil consumers in Europe,” he said, after a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.  He said the relations between the two countries are now at an excellent level.

“Our presence here is long and we have a partnership in the hotel and construction industries and also in the defence sector,” he said.

“For example, there are two [French-made] submarines used by the Royal Malaysian Navy here. In terms of education, there are six high schools here offering French language learning for 700 students”

France is organising an annual cultural event, the French Festival, where 15 French films will be screened from May 9 to 12 at the GSC Cinemas here, he added.