KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- The government has allowed a quota of 1.3million tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) for duty-free export next year,Primary Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik announced hereFriday.

"The cabinet has decided that in 2002, 1.3 million tonnes of CPO will beavailable for duty free export," he told reporters after launching theKuala Lumpur 2001 book exhibition.

This year, one million tonnes of CPO had been allocated for duty-freeexports. Six companies have been selected for the quota.

Dr Lim said that this year's quota has almost been exhausted.

He said that the increased in quota of 300,000 tonnes from last year wasto cope with the better demand anticipation.

"The demand is there. I know what the demand is, I know where the peoplewho wants CPO come from," he said.

Dr Lim said that the qouta is to be given to selected industry players,with priorities for exporters with plantations and refineries in Sabah andSarawak.--BERNAMA