MEDIA RELEASE

MEDIA STATEMENT

MALAYSIA COMMITS TO SUPPLYING CHINA WITH SUSTAINABILITY-CERTIFIED PALM OIL AND RELATED PRODUCTS

  

Malaysia is committed to supplying China with Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certified palm oil and palm oil products, said YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities.

He added that Malaysia seeks to cooperate with China in establishing a shared consensus during engagements with the European Union, particularly regarding the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This collaboration aims to ensure a unified stance and understanding in discussions about the EUDR's implementation and impact. Malaysia looks forward to cooperating with China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) in promoting sustainable development, environmental protection, and addressing climate change through the promotion of the MSPO Certification Scheme in the Chinese market, said Chan. These issues were raised by YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin during a

G2G bilateral meeting with Mr. Zhao Yingmin, Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, in Beijing last Friday, which received a positive response from the latter.

YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin added that Malaysia is actively addressing the four challenges presented by the EUDR namely Traceability System, Legal Land Title, Deforestation-Free, and No Forced Labour through the MSPO certification scheme which has been mandatory since January 1, 2020.

Apart from the green value chain, YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin said Malaysia welcomes initiatives by the Chinese Government to use biofuel, especially biodiesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). In this regards, Malaysia pledged its support on these efforts in terms of technical information exchange and supplies of biofuels.

YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin also spoke at the Roundtable Dialogue on the Malaysia-China Green Value Chain Partnership: Advancing Low-Carbon Development and a Just Transition in the Palm Oil Sector: Enhancing the Green Economy and Supporting Resilient Recovery in Beijing last Friday. He stressed that developing a green economy requires international cooperation and the joint efforts of all countries. In this process, Malaysia and China will continue to strengthen policy alignment, deepen technical exchanges, and promote the implementation of more green projects for mutual benefit.

“We hope that through this high-level dialogue, we can work with all parties to explore on low-carbon development and transition to palm oil, promoting the green economy and resilient recovery,” said YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin.

YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin also held a G2G bilateral meeting with Mr. Zhao Zenglian, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), to discuss technical collaboration and trade agreements. “Malaysia looks forward to continued cooperation with the GACC on port supervision and food safety. This is crucial given the smooth collaboration paves the way for exploring international cooperation in key areas, such as palm oil," he said.

YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin led the Malaysian delegation to China for a working visit in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China from 8th to 12th July 2024 recently. The fiveday trip was organised by the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, in collaboration with the Palm Oil Research and Technical Service Institute of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (PORTSIM) based in Shanghai. He also witnessed MOUs signing between Malaysian and Chinese companies on palm oil and palm oil products supply worth over RM200 million.

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES

17th July 2024       

MEDIA STATEMENT

 

MALAYSIA SECURES OVER RM230 MILLION IN PALM OIL TRADE

DEALS DURING CHINA VISIT

 

YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Deputy Ministry Of Plantation And Commodities was on a working visit to China from 8th to 12th July 2024 to promote Malaysian agri-commodities in China. During the working visit, Malaysia has secured over RM230 million through palm oil trade deals. A total of four Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Malaysian palm oil companies and businesses in China signed at the 15th China International Cereals and Oils Industry Summit in Nanjing on 11th July 2024. The MOU signing ceremony witnessed by the YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin and Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, Director General of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), along with China counterpart Mr Cao De Rong, President of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import/Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce, and Animal By-products (CFNA).

The four MOUs signed are between Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) and BOCE Trade Service Co. Ltd for tocotrienol exports; Taobao (China) Software Co. Ltd. and Able Perfect Group for expanding digital market access; Taobao (China) Software Co. Ltd and Sawit Kinabalu Group for crude palm oil (CPO) trade; and JF Nutritech and Palmort Food Tech (Shanghai) for the application of red palm oil in animal feed.

 “Able Perfect, an independent palm oil refinery based in Port Klang, aims to expand its presence in the Chinese market, particularly in refined palm oil and palm shortening, with an estimated business volume of about RM200 million through this trade deal,” Chan said.

Chan highlighted that the MOUs involve expanding the trade of palm oil products into new sectors. This includes leveraging the globally renowned e-commerce platform Taobao to develop online B2B and B2C sales channels, as well as entering the health product market with tocotrienols, a potent form of vitamin E derived from palm oil. These initiatives mark a significant milestone for Malaysian palm oil enterprises. 

Chan emphasized that Malaysian companies must focus on high valueadded and high-quality productions to remain competitive in the global market. With Malaysia’s annual palm oil production maintained at around 18 million tonnes, it is crucial to adhere to the standards of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and sustainable development principles.

Palm oil is one of the most versatile and efficient vegetable oils, with diverse and easily processed characteristics, providing significant advantages and opportunities for R&D and product innovation. Chan added that Chinese authorities has approved the export and use of palm tocotrienols in food applications in March this year. Thus, the overall value of these trade deals is expected to increase in the coming years.

Chan also held a business matching session with around 20 Malaysian and Chinese enterprises, providing a platform for exchange and exploring cooperation opportunities in palm oil trade. He expressed that these initiatives will further deepen bilateral cooperation in the palm oil sector, promoting mutual economic prosperity and win-win outcomes for Malaysia and China.

 

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES

15th July 2024       

MEDIA STATEMENT

 

DEPUTY MINISTER OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES

YB DATUK CHAN FOONG HIN

WILL LEAD MALAYSIAN DELEGATION ON A WORKING

VISIT AND AGRI-COMMODITY PROMOTION TO CHINA

Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin, is set to lead the Malaysian delegation to China from 8 July to 12 July 2024 for a working visit and agri-commodity promotions. This working visit is organized by the Ministry in collaboration with Palm Oil Research and Technical Service Institute of Malaysian Palm Oil Board (PORTSIM China).

During the visit, YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin will deliver a keynote address at the 15th China International Cereals and Oils Industry Summit. The Deputy Minister speech will emphasize the significance of palm oil and its role in global food security. He also will highlight Malaysia's commitment to sustainable palm oil production through the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification. The Deputy Minister will underscore the vital trade relationship between the two nations and leveraging on the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance exports of various agri-commodity products to China. 


YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin is also expected to deliver an opening speech at the Roundtable Dialogue on the Malaysia-China Green Value Chain Partnership: “Promoting Low-Carbon Development and a Just Transition in Palm Oil,

Enhancing the Green Economy, and Supporting Resilient Recovery”. Among the message of the speech will be Malaysia's commitment to sustainability through the MSPO certification and efforts to reduce carbon emissions, including the implementation of biodiesel blending programs aiming to reach B30 by 2030.

During the visit, the Deputy Minister is set to have high level meeting with his counterpart from General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China (MEE) and Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM) to discuss the impending issue between Malaysia and China especially on agri-commodity trade.

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES

7th July 2024                                                                                    

 

 

MEDIA STATEMENT

 

MINISTER OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES, YB DATUK SERI JOHARI

ABDUL GHANI, WILL LEAD MALAYSIAN DELEGATION ON A WORKING

VISIT TO EGYPT AND TURKIYE AND TO OFFICIATE MALAYSIAN PALM

OIL FORUM

 

Minister of Plantation and Commodities, YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, is set to lead the Malaysian delegation to Egypt and Turkiye from 27 May to 1 June 2024 for a working visit and to officiate the Malaysian Palm Oil Forum Egypt 2024. This event, organized by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council and to be held in Cairo this year, aims to explore the growth potential of palm oil in the North African region. During the forum, YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani will deliver a keynote address and officially inaugurate the event on 28 May 2024. His speech will highlight the increasing global demand for cooking oil and its derivatives, as well as Malaysia's commitment to sustainable palm oil production. While in Cairo, the Minister will meet the Minister of Trade and Industry Egypt and the Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Egypt to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries as well as business leaders in palm oil industry.

MPOF 2024 will be followed by a working visit to Turkiye, where the Minister of Plantation and Commodities is scheduled to meet with the Minister of Trade Turkiye on 31 May. The objective is to strengthen collaboration and identify new business opportunities in the palm oil sector between Malaysia and Turkiye. Turkiye is an important destination for Malaysian palm oil exports, making this meeting particularly significant for Malaysia. During the visit, he will also engage with other relevant stakeholders, including business representatives from the palm oil industry, further intensifying business relations between the two nations.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Forum Egypt 2024 serves as a platform to showcase Malaysia's expertise in the palm oil industry and to explore opportunities for collaboration with North African countries. The working visit by the Minister of Plantation and Commodities seeks to highlight Malaysia's commitment to promoting sustainable palm oil production and strengthening economic ties with Egypt and Turkiye.

 

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES  26th May 2024

 

 

MEDIA STATEMENT

 

MALAYSIA SUCCEEDS IN WTO CASE AGAINST EU’S DELEGATED ACT

THAT  IS DEEMED DISCRIMINATORY TOWARDS MALAYSIAN PALM OIL

BIOFUELS

 

On 5th March 2024 the WTO Panel issued its Final Report and concluded that the EU’s  Delegated Act that restricted palm oil biofuels, is indeed discriminatory.

This ruling from WTO demonstrates that Malaysia’s claims of discrimination are indeed justified. This vindicates Malaysia’s pursuit of justice for our biodiesel traders, companies and employees.

The WTO Final Report clearly finds fault with the EU’s use of indirect land use change (ILUC) to ban palm oil biofuels. It also finds fault with the EU’s approach to notifying and consulting with other economies when introducing new trade measures.

The EU has agreed to comply with the WTO ruling before it can impose restrictions in accepting Malaysia’s palm oil biofuels. The Malaysian Government will closely monitor the EU’s changes to its regulations to bring it in line with the WTO’s findings, and pursue compliance proceedings if necessary.

The Malaysian Government remains fully committed to defending the interests of palm oil biofuels industry players against trade barriers and discrimination.

 

YB DATUK SERI JOHARI ABDUL GHANI

MINISTER OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES  6th March 2024