KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Palm Oil Promotion Council(MPOPC) is looking at the possibility of opening another office in Chinawith the latter's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "Ifthings work out, we would certainly want to see another office, perhaps inShanghai. This is something we are working on," said its chief executiveofficer, Datuk Haron Siraj.

Currently MPOPC has nine office in the major export markets -- Beijing(China), Vienna (Austria), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Cairo(Egypt), New Delhi (India), Lahore (Pakistan), Durban (South Africa) andChicago (United States).

Under the terms of joining WTO, China, the world's most populous nation,is to import 2.4 million tonnes of palm oil in the current year, up from2001's 1.4 million tonnes.

"Hence, we have to undertake our own efforts to capture this quota(together with Indonesia) and make sure that we are able to deliver beforethe end of 2002," Haron said in a recent interview.

By establishing another office, he said MPOPC would have a better view ofthe Chinese market as it would help the industry to be in touch withmanufacturers and consumers or the real users of palm oil in China.

Besides the efforts of the council, the volume of exports to China alsodepended on the Chinese government in facilitating the import of thecommodity, he said.

Under China's current import system, those directly using palm oil aregiven quotas and these are organised under certain enterprises for bulkimports, which are easier and more cost-effective in terms of shipment.

Haron said MPOPC would study China's January and February imports closelyto see how the Chinese are going to open up their market for biggerimports.

MPOPC, on its part, would facilitate procedures to meet their needs, hesaid

Technical back up will be provided by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)on food or non-food applications.

"But we are not going to sell just at any price. It must be something thatis attractive enough for our producers and reasonable and affordable forconsumers," said Haron.

He said MPOPC would continue to look for new markets and work hand in handwith MPOB, the authority on research & development as well as licensing ofpalm oil activities in the country.

Haron said with MPOB constantly coming out with new uses for palm oil,MPOPC hopes to penetrate new markets in Central Asia, Africa and EasternEurope.

MPOPC spends between RM20 million and RM22 million for marketing andpromotion via the cess collected on every tonne of palm oil produced inthe country.

Although MPOPC is not involved in actual market transactions, it isactively involved in organising market missions, seminars and exhibitionsworldwide. It also organises educational programmes for governmentofficials, manufacturers, traders, nutritionists, consumers and the media.

-- BERNAMA