(Miri, 18th) Deputy Minister of the Federal Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, stated that Malaysia's palm oil industry is moving towards a more sustainable, efficient, and innovative direction to ensure its competitiveness in the global market.
He made this remark on behalf of the Minister for Plantation and Commodities, Dato' Sri Johari Abdul Ghani, while attending the opening ceremony of the "Palm Oil Management, Technology, Exhibition & Conference 2025 (POMtec 2025)", hosted by the Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (SOPPOA) this morning at the Pullman Hotel, Miri. According to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysia has long been one of the world's major palm oil producers, making a significant contribution to the national economy. From January to December 2024, the total export volume of Malaysian palm oil and its related products reached 26.66 million tonnes, with a total value of approximately RM 109.33 billion.
“However, as the global market environment continues to evolve, the palm oil industry needs to pay more attention to sustainability, efficiency, and innovation to ensure its long-term competitiveness in the international market.”
He said POMtec 2025 serves as an important platform that brings together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and relevant stakeholders to discuss the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the palm oil industry.
Chan Foong Hin emphasized that the "National Agricommodity Policy 2021-2030 (DAKN 2030)" outlines the government's strategic goals to drive the agriculture commodity industry towards sustainability and eco-friendliness, which aligns with the theme of this conference—"Optimizing Cross-disciplinary Operations and Innovation to Promote Sustainable Growth."
He stressed the government's firm implementation of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification Scheme (MSPO) to ensure the entire supply chain meets standards for environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic feasibility. Since December 31, 2019, this certification has been mandatory, and with the launch of MSPO 2.0, the industry's sustainability requirements have been reinforced.
“I encourage all industry players to actively participate and continuously promote MSPO certification to gain broader recognition for Malaysian palm oil in the global market.”
Addressing the environmental challenges and market competition faced by the palm oil industry, Chan Foong Hin stated that close collaboration among various sectors is vital. The government, research institutions, and industry participants must work together to enhance production efficiency and ensure compliance with international sustainability standards.
“Innovation is the core of sustainable development. *Advancements in digital technology, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI)* will bring revolutionary changes to the palm oil supply chain.”
In addition, the mechanization development in the palm oil industry is also urgent. He urged industry players to invest in automated harvesting tools, mechanized transportation systems, and drone technology to enhance productivity while reducing dependency on foreign labor.
Chan Foong Hin emphasized that the government will continue to formulate policies to support R&D investments, cross-sector integration, and promote the industry towards sustainable development.
“We also urge industry players to actively adopt best practices, embrace innovation, and collectively build a palm oil industry that meets future needs. Only by uniting all parties can we ensure that Malaysia's palm oil industry remains not only a crucial pillar of the national economy but also emphasizes environmental protection, leaving a better future for generations to come.”
Finally, Chan Foong Hin announced the official opening of the 2025 Palm Oil Management, Technology, Exhibition & Conference (POMtec 2025), and wished the conference great success.
