20/05/2008 (AME Info) - UAE-based oils and fats majors are set to establish an extensive presence at the first ‘Malaysia-UAE Palm Oil Trade Fair & Seminar (POTS) 2008’, which is being held from May 26 - 27, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai.

Leading players, including the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), United Foods Company (UFC), Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company (ADVOC), Al-Ghurair Foods, Wellington Marketing and Awafi Foodstuff Company, among others, are seeking to leverage the outstanding learning and networking opportunities at the event in line with the increasing demand for Malaysian Palm Oil in the country. Industry representatives have also revealed that Malaysian Palm Oil exports to the UAE are expected to increase in 2008 from the 350,000 metric tons (MT) recorded in 2007, according to reports from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).

The event will feature plenary lectures on important issues concerning the regional Malaysian palm oil trade, including prices, health benefits, challenges, shipping and marketing, and current market trends. Among the topics to be discussed within the two-day seminar include a plenary lecture on ‘The Global Oils and Fats Price Outlook’ by Dr. Sarah Hickingbottom, LMC International UK; and ‘Malaysian Palm Oil: Meeting the Challenges in the Middle East Market’ by Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Yusof Basiron, CEO, MPOC. A talk on ‘Strengthening the Palm Oil Market in the Middle East’ will also be delivered by Amir Qadri, Marketing Head, ERCO-IFFCO Group.

“It is a great pleasure to see the inaugural ‘Malaysia-UAE Palm Oil Trade Fair & Seminar’ gather outstanding reception from major oils and fats manufacturers, refiners, importers and exporters in the region, thereby underlining the critical importance of a comprehensive platform within this burgeoning industry,” said Ahmad Zafri Zawawi, Regional Director - Middle East, MPOC.

“We are proud to become a part of the UAE oils and fats market and its rapid maturity, as well as those of other emerging markets in the region. This event has been developed to promote high standards in product quality and our aim is to aid industry players further expand their markets.”

In addition, the seminar will also offer powerful projections and strategies for the participating companies on topics such as ‘Shipment Of Palm Oil Within The Middle East - Post IMO Regulations’, which will be delivered by Mr. Francis Tan, KL Maritime Sdn Bhd, Malaysia. Speakers will also tackle timely health-related topics, including a talk on ‘Nutrition Benefits of Palm Oil / TFA Issues and Opportunities for Palm Oil in the Middle East’ by Dr. Pramod Khosla from Wayne State University, USA; and ‘Palm Oil as a Heart-Healthy Alternative in the Middle East’ by Dr. Wafa Helmi Ayesh, Al-Rashid Hospital, UAE.

‘POTS Dubai 2008’ has gathered outstanding support from regional companies, including the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), as the event’s platinum sponsor, and HSBC as the gold sponsor. Dubai-based United Foods Company (UFC) has also signed up as silver sponsor, in addition to several regional manufacturers, which include MM VitaOils, Alami Vegetable Oil and Southern Edible Oil from Malaysia, and the Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company (UAE), who are the event’s official partners.

Under the theme ‘Exceeding Expectations, Enriching Partnerships’, the event will bring together oils and fats marketers, traders, economists, government officials and industry professionals from the private sector. In addition, seminars within the event have been designed to encourage discussions on the prospects in the Gulf and to provide networking opportunities for the attendees, with visitors gaining first hand exposure to the latest palm oil products and services from Malaysia via the trade exhibition booths.