An exhibition organised in conjunction with the conference attracted 23 companies to promote their sustainable practices and products derived from such practices; while the conference attracted 575 local and international participants from the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Germany, Spain, Japan, China, USA, Indonesia and Singapore. Papers on topics relating to sustainability and life cycle assessment in the palm oil industry; sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and certification; palm oil and wetlands; wildlife conservation and environmental care; and carbon balance of palm oil will be presented by both local and international speakers during the conference.
Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said, “IPOSC is a good platform for the Malaysian palm oil industry to dispel the myths and misinformation plaguing the industry and at the same time highlight the sustainability of palm oil as compared to other oilseeds and other commodities around the globe.”
Malaysian Palm Oil Wildlife Conservation Fund (MPOWCF), a RM20 million revolving fund initiated by both the Malaysian Government and palm oil industry players, dedicated towards studies, efforts and initiatives in conserving the wildlife and the environment was officially launched in conjunction with this event. Bursa Malaysia, the Borneo Conservation Trust and MPOC signed a memorandum on the launch of a project that surveys the orang utan population in Sabah to map out actions to ensure their continued well being.
Datuk Peter Chin added, “this reinforces the message that the industry is indeed serious in protecting the environment. It is one of the many examples of Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Care set by our palm oil industry. The fund will be available to assist many other future conservation projects.”
IPOSC highlighted the initiatives and efforts of the Malaysian palm oil industry towards achieving sustainable production of its palm oil. The conference also served as an avenue for the industry to respond to the accusations towards Malaysian palm oil being not environmentally-friendly and thus, non-sustainable.
Malaysia is currently the largest exporter and second largest producer of palm oil in the world. The country produced 15.82 million tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) last year compared to 15.88 million tonnes in 2006. The total export revenue of oil palm products in 2007 was RM 45.17 billion, making it one of the biggest prime movers of the Malaysian economy.
MPOC is a Council under the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, incorporated on January 25, 1990.
The role of MPOC is to promote the market expansion of Malaysian palm oil and its products by enhancing the image of palm oil and creating better acceptance of palm oil through awareness of various technological and economic advantages (techno-economic advantages) and environmental sustainability.
_________________________________________________________________________________
For further information please contact Razita Abdul Razak / Jaseemah Mohamed,
E-mail: razita@mpoc.org.my / jaseemah@mpoc.org.my
Tel: +6(03)7806 4097, Fax: +6(03)7806 2272
_________________________________________________________________________________
