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Last Updated: 03 March 2022

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MEDIA STATEMENT

INTERNATIONAL RUBBER INDUSTRY CONVENTION AND EXPO IN MALAYSIA TO RENOWED MALAYSIAN RUBBER MADE PRODUCTS

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1. Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Malaysia, YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin launched the International Rubber Industry Convention and Expo 2022 (IRICE 2022) today at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya

. 2. IRICE 2022 is held in conjunction with the 10th International Rubber Glove Conference and Exhibition 2022 (IRGCE 2022) and RubberCon2022. All three events, IRICE 2022, IRGCE 2022 and RubberCon2022, will be happening on 6 to 8 September at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

3. Datuk Hajah Zuraida said during her officiating speech, “government responsibilities include creating an enabling environment that will allow the Malaysian rubber industry to realise its full potential, achieve global excellence, maximize its contribution to the domestic economy, and fulfil its obligations to various sections of society.” “Our primary aim is to ensure that the Malaysian rubber made products are renowned across the world.” She added.

4. IRICE 2022, organized by Malaysian Rubber Products Manufacturers Association (MRPMA) and co-hosted by Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC), aims to define the opportunities and address the challenges faced by Malaysia rubber industry players, which include precured treads, engineered rubber products in construction, railway, mining and marine, latex foam and mattresses, rubber medical devices, rubber automotive components, and green rubber. It also aims to promote the dry and technical rubber exhibition in Malaysia, that covers six categories; art painting, handicraft & souvenirs, sports, recreational and general consumer goods, building, construction and engineering, electrical & electronics, automotive, masterbatch, rubber chemicals, machinery and equipment. IRICE 2022 is a platform for them to connect and network with each other, to boost revenue as well as facilitate knowledge sharing amongst the industry.

5. “IRICE has been an effective avenue to bridge the smallholders and manufacturers of the rubber industry, especially in assisting in policy creation and bringing the industry players together and thus be a platform for effective networking,” said Dr Daroyah Alwi, Chairman of MRC during her opening speech.

6. IRICE was first organized in 2017 by MRPMA, with an astounding success in attracting hundreds of participants and speakers. This biennial event is dedicated to promoting growth of the rubber industry, by discussing on related policies and promoting the upstream sector of the rubber industry. IRICE also benefits the downstream sector in helping to identify new market opportunities. "Our Vision is to make IRICE the leading exhibition for the rubber industry in ASEAN." said Mr Yeaw Kok Kwey, President of MRPMA.

7. Also present during the event were Encik Hizwan Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of MRC, Mr Loh Yoon Han, Organising Chair of IRICE and management team of both MRC and MRPMA

. 8. As part of MRC’s initiatives in promoting Malaysian rubber products, the exhibition will bridge the trade promotion activities, business cooperation, technologies exchange for domestic and key players from within the rubber industry. To date, more than 80 companies have shown interest in participating and MRPMA is encouraging more participation from other rubber industry stakeholders to take part in the IRICE 2022. To participate, please visit www.irice.com.my.

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES

14 FEBRUARY 2022

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MEDIA STATEMENT

MPIC MINISTER ENDS DUBAI TRIP BY EMPHASIZING ON GREATER ROLES FOR WOMEN

Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) Minister, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, who strongly advocates women's rights, yesterday visited the "Women's Pavillion" at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Women's Pavillion unveils creative content and programming that will help reaffirm the Expo’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The pavilion aims to inspire all who enter its doors to become change-makers, breaking stereotypes and deconstructing misconceptions on women’s roles.

The pavilion features five structures with different narratives located on the ground floor: Introduction – expressing the purpose of the pavilion; Achievements – shining a light on women’s impact on the world; Challenges – acknowledging what is holding women back; Solutions – highlighting the initiatives enabling women to thrive so humanity can thrive; and Engaging with visitors – encouraging them to become champions of gender equality and women’s empowerment and take the journey forward.

Zuraida, who is also the founder and president of the Council of Malaysian Women Political Leaders (Comwel) and long championed women's rights said she was happy that the contributions by women were celebrated and recognised at the Expo. “It has been proven that the voices of women are capable of paving greater positive changes and bringing about a better, harmonious and prosperous world. We must never forget that "the hand that rocks the cradle is able to shake the world"”, she said.

During her visit to the Expo from Jan 23 - 27, she also signed four MoUs worth about RM128 million involving industry players in the agricultural commodities sector. Among the MoUs include one between Sharjah Ports & Customs Free Zones Authority and the Timbers Exporters Association of Malaysian (Team) and another between Etlingera Sdn Bhd and Aromology Tradings LLC.

The MoUs were for strategic logistic partnerships, collaborations to encourage use of port and storage facilities aimed to enhance timber export performance in the region, and to also exploit Etlingera's expertise to conduct R&D to produce unique and high quality agarwood products. The other MoUs were between Etlingera Sdn Bhd & Malaccencis Sdn Bhd and the fourth involving the kenaf industry between Kenaf Venture Global dan Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia (BAPPENAS).

Zuraida also launched the Malaysian Rubber Products Virtual Showcase (MaRViS), an online platform that facilitates online business engagements between international buyers and Malaysian rubber product manufacturers. MaRViS is developed by the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) to facilitate online business engagements as well as virtual trade shows for Malaysian rubber product manufacturers and elevates the experience and trade potential with buyers globally regardless of geographical boundaries.

On women's rights, she said MPIC had made it a point to ensure women make up 34 per cent of board members and other positions in the various agencies under its purview. “In our ministry, we greatly recognise the roles played by women and want to ensure they are given a fair representation. Women have great potential and are very dedicated and often go beyond their expectations to ensure excellence in their work”, said Zuraida. She also said her ministry was also working toward offering greater opportunities for youth to also take up prominent positions where they can shine.

Overall, women holding decision-making positions in government agencies in Malaysia was currently at 38.2 per cent. “We have women as chairmen, chief executive officers and also as board members. Overall, we have a 34 per cent representation of women. Also, I want to stress here that all the women in our agencies are professionals and well qualified. No position was awarded to any of them as a token. We will continue to ensure fair women representation and urge other ministries to also given women equal opportunities”, added Zuraida.

Among the women board members and those in other positions in agencies under MPIC include Datuk Zunaidah Idris (Institute of Malaysian Plantation and Commodities (IMPAC); Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim (Malaysian Rubber Board); and Datuk Hazimah Zainudin (Malaysian Palm Oil Board).

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES

27 JANUARY 2022

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MEDIA STATEMENT

MALAYSIA SUSTAINABLE AGRICOMMODITY WEEK
(NON FOOD AGRICOMMODITIES) AT DUBAI 2020 EXPO

1. The agricommodity sector is one of Malaysia's main economic drivers, contributing significantly to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), export earnings, jobs, and business opportunities, including elevating the standard of living of our smallholders. For many years, the agricommodity sector has been Malaysia's vital instrument in reducing poverty in Malaysia.

2. Understanding the global demand for sustainable agri-commodities, the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC), as the Platinum Premier Partner for Malaysia Pavillion in Dubai 2020 Expo, is proud to showcase Malaysia's journey, efforts, and initiatives towards sustainable agricommodity sector.

3. The theme of the exhibition and lineup of events focus on the efforts undertaken by Malaysia towards advancing the Agricommodity sector in a sustainable manner while promoting its goodness and versatile applications of the agricommodities. The advancement and development of the agricommodity industry support and embed the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the plantation policies and management.

4. For Week 17, MPIC will host the Sustainable Agricommodity Week (Non-Food Agricommodities), running from 23rd January to 29th January 2022, as part of the 26 weekly thematic trade and business programmes organised by Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai. The event will be officiated by The Honourable Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Malaysia, Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin. Malaysia's participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is spearheaded by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) with Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation as implementing agency. The week will focus on non-food agricultural commodities of Malaysia such as rubber, timber, and kenaf.

5. Among the week's highlights is the Malaysian Rubber Products Virtual Showcase (MaRViS). This online platform facilitates online business engagements between international buyers and Malaysian rubber product manufacturers by Malaysia Rubber Council, TimbeReality, a dedicated VR platform that displays Malaysian-made timber and furniture products by Malaysia Timber Council, The Rubber Forum 2022 organised by Malaysia Rubber Board and Malaysia Wood Expo 2022 by the Malaysia Timber Board. The Honourable Minister will also witness the signing of four Memorandum of Understandings, three from the timber subsector and one from the Kenaf subsector.

6. MPIC and its agencies have also lined up exciting activities for visitors to the Malaysia Pavilion, such as interactive latex painting arts, agarwood product demonstrations, rubber clay modeling, kenaf demonstration, and special talks on Malaysia kenaf, timber, and Malaysian sustainable timber certification.

7. Despite the rough economic climate worldwide, Malaysia's agricommodity trade continues to perform reasonably well. From January to November 2021, the agricommodity sector has contributed total export revenue of RM189.5 billion to the Malaysian economy. This value has exceeded Malaysia's total export revenue for 2020 of RM152 billion. Therefore, MPIC will continue to raise more awareness, expand its network and global alliances, and share the importance of our sustainable agricommodities efforts through Expo 2020 Dubai.

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES
24 JANUARY 2022

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MEDIA STATEMENT

MALAYSIA-IRAN PALM OIL TRADE FAIR & SEMINAR 2022 TO CEMENT STRONGER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MALAYSIAN AND IRANIAN STAKEHOLDERS

1. The Malaysian Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin, addressed the members of the vegetable oil industry at the Parsian Azadi Hotel, Tehran. The Palm Oil Trade Fair and Seminar (POTS), themed “Complementing Iran’s Oils & Fats Demand with Malaysian Palm Oil”.

2. Datuk Hajah Zuraidah said that Iran edible oil market offers great potential for Malaysian palm oil and palm oil-based products export. Iran was the 8th top importer of Malaysian Palm Oil in 2021, with an increase of 26% from 321,106 tonnes in 2020 to 404,320 tonnes.

3. The total exports of Malaysian palm oil and its downstream derivatives achieved 24.3 million tonnes in 2021. The record high prices of palm oil in 2021 contributed to the increase in exports revenue to RM102 billion, an increase of 40% as compared to RM 73 billion registered in the year 2020. India retained its position as the number one export destination for Malaysian palm oil, with more than 3.5 million tonnes exported. Other prominent destinations for Malaysian palm oil were China, the Netherlands, Turkey, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Malaysian palm oil accounted for 24% of global palm oil production and 31% of world export in 2021.

4. Datuk Hajah Zuraida emphasised that challenges are still looming in the highly valued industry. Limitations among others in the form of non-tariff barriers including market access, discriminatory trade practices and negative perception have recently escalated against the Malaysian palm oil industry that offers a better competitive advantage over other edible oils. She also stressed that her Ministry will continue in its effort to disseminate accurate facts and information to counter the anti-palm oil campaigners and non-governmental organisations (NGO) to disprove the allegations of deforestation associated with the Malaysian palm oil industry.

5. Commenting on the opportunities for the private sector between Iran and Malaysia, Datuk Hajah Zuraida urged both parties to redefine the business approaches to form partnerships and strategic alliances to explore new avenues for expanding the edible oil and palm oil business in Iran. “I am very optimistic on the prospects of the global oils and fats industry. The global reopening of economic sectors following the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in strong demand for Malaysian palm oil, including in Iran," she added.

6. Malaysia-Iran POTS 2022 is the 60th of its series since its introduction in 2006. This event is held in Iran for the 3rd time to address the oils and fats trade. Malaysia-Iran POTS 2022 is organised by Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) with the support from the Iranian Vegetable Oil Industry Association (IVOIA).

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES

8 FEBRUARY 2022