OPENING REMARKS BY

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE DATO’ SRI HJ FADILLAH BIN HJ YUSOF

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA AND MINISTER OF

PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES

AT 

THE MPOB INTERNATIONAL PALM OIL CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION (PIPOC 2023)

8 NOVEMBER 2023 (WEDNESDAY)

KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE (KLCC)

The Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim,

Prime Minister of Malaysia

Excellencies

Distinguished Participants of PIPOC 2023

Ladies & Gentlemen

A very good morning and Salam Malaysia Madani.

1. Firstly, I would like to express our gratitude to The Right Honourable Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, for gracing us with his presence and officiating the Malaysian Palm Oil Board International Palm Oil Congress & Exhibition (PIPOC 2023). I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all esteemed guests, participants, and exhibitors who have joined us today.

2. It is heartening to witness this global gathering of palm oil industry experts where minds from around the world converge to share insights and ideas. Your presence at PIPOC 2023 is a testament to the significance of this congress and we eagerly anticipate the invaluable discussions and collaborations that will transpire over the next few days at this event. Together, I am confident we can contribute to the growth and advancement of the palm oil industry.

3. PIPOC, a biennial event organized by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), encompasses four concurrent conferences and one of the largest exhibition showcasing the latest technologies, innovations, products and services in the palm oil industry. This year's theme, 'Navigating Uncertainties, Building Resilience,' is particularly relevant, given the persistent global uncertainties that prompts us to reassess our strategies and approaches in how we operate. The PIPOC 2023 features four (4) distinct conferences, each focused on critical aspects of the industry namely :

• Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Sustainability Conference (ABS);

• Downstream and Value Addition Conference (DVA);

• Processing, Food Safety & Nutrition Conference (PFSN);

• Global Economics & Marketing Conference (GEM).

4. These conferences bring together over 100 prominent speakers who will engage in thoughtful deliberations, share insights, research findings, and introduce new technologies. The collective goal is to enhance and advance the oil palm industry in the face of the challenges posed by the complicated global geo-political landscape.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. The Malaysian oil palm industry has witnessed remarkable growth and transformation over the past few decades. This progress has been driven by cutting-edge technologies and innovations developed by MPOB and the palm oil industry players in promoting sustainable production practices and increasing oil palm yields. Notably, mechanization has revolutionized tasks like harvesting and improved plantation management efficiency.

6. Malaysia has made significant strides in breeding and biotechnology research, resulting in successfully developing clonal palm series and the genome programs aimed at enhancing yields and reduce contamination risks.

7. I am proud to say that Malaysia has achieved significant milestones by successfully sequencing the oil palm genome leading to groundbreaking discoveries that enhances the efficiency of oil palm breeding practices.

8. Other research collaborations that have produced scientific breakthroughs includes the nutritional properties within the food industry, pharmaceutical and health supplements industry.

Ladies and Gentlemen

9. Since the 1980s, Malaysia has committed to sustainable energy, pioneering the development of palm-based biodiesel technology, contributing to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

10. MPOB has numerous commercializable technologies, offering business opportunities that benefit SMEs nationwide.

11. In 2021, the Government, in collaboration with MPOB, established MARCOP, focusing on harnessing cutting-edge mechanization and automation technologies to address labor shortages within oil palm plantations, promoting a more automated and productive future.

12. To spur innovation, the Government has announced tax incentives for automation, encouraging industry players to invest in mechanization and automation. The MSPO certification scheme complements sustainability goals and has gained global recognition.

13. The MSPO certification scheme was adopted for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games Sustainable Sourcing Code, and Japan has sourced MSPO-certified products. The Ministry of Economy, Trades and Industries (METI) Japan accepted the MSPO certification scheme for renewable energy, and Panpan Foods promoted MSPO at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

14. It is imperative for the oil palm industry to elevate productivity through innovative technologies while upholding environmental sustainability, aligning with the Madani Economy Framework.

15. Lastly, I wish all participants here a successful congress, and I believe your deliberations will further improve the oil palm industry. To our international participants, enjoy your stay in this fascinating country.

Thank you