ID :
51924
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 08:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/51924
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIA HOPES TO MAINTAIN COMMODITY EXPORTS MARKET SHARE
PUTRAJAYA, March 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia hopes to maintain its commodity exports at 16.94 percent of the total export market although in value term it will be less than the record high achieved last year.
"I think RM112 billion export for commodities this year is not achievable
anymore but we hope to maintain our export market share with all the programmes
that we have," said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Peter
Chin Fah Kui.
Last year, Malaysia's earnings from export of commodities was RM112.43
billion, up 26.75 percent from RM88.70 billion in 2007, Chin said after the
ministry's monthly gathering here Monday.
"This is a challenge but we hope to achieve our export share with all the
programmes that we have. Even though there is economic slowdown in the rest of
the world, nevertheless some of our products are still very sellable. We cannot
discount the need for detergents and oleochemicals from our palm oil," he said.
Asked about the value targeted from exports this year, Chin said: "There is
the question of commodity prices. As far as the total export value is concerned,
we must be realistic because the trend is going down."
"The value for export this year will depend on commodity prices. If we can
achieve the crude palm oil prices at an average price of RM1,900 to RM2,000 per
tonne and rubber price at RM5 to RM6 per kg, it will be very good," he said.
Chin said it was important for the ministry to embark on branding activities
on Malaysian commodities as soon as possible in order to be competitive and
achieve higher prices in the international market.
"We should brand our palm oil for being such a big consumer item for food,
and now for oleochemicals and biodiesel. So it is appropriate for us to brand
Malaysian palm as an identity with its own properties," he said.
The ministry was also looking to explore new markets via branding
activities, especially for palm oil, in order to separate the country's
production from competitors, Chin said.
"For example, Russia which has been not a very big buyer of palm oil. A new
market like this, it is imperative for us to try and increase their consumption
pattern through branding to promote the advantages of palm oil," he said.
Chin also urged the agencies under his ministry responsible for undertaking
projects under the second economic stimulus package to carry them out
efficiently and with close monitoring.
A total of RM75.888 million has been allocated to the ministry from the
package.
From the amount, RM50.134 million is for the Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
RM15.040 for the Malaysian Timber Development Board, RM5.013 million for the
National Tobacco Board and RM2.692 million for the Malaysian Cocoa Board.
East Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak have also been allocated RM1.504
million each to assist rubber smallholders.
"I think RM112 billion export for commodities this year is not achievable
anymore but we hope to maintain our export market share with all the programmes
that we have," said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Peter
Chin Fah Kui.
Last year, Malaysia's earnings from export of commodities was RM112.43
billion, up 26.75 percent from RM88.70 billion in 2007, Chin said after the
ministry's monthly gathering here Monday.
"This is a challenge but we hope to achieve our export share with all the
programmes that we have. Even though there is economic slowdown in the rest of
the world, nevertheless some of our products are still very sellable. We cannot
discount the need for detergents and oleochemicals from our palm oil," he said.
Asked about the value targeted from exports this year, Chin said: "There is
the question of commodity prices. As far as the total export value is concerned,
we must be realistic because the trend is going down."
"The value for export this year will depend on commodity prices. If we can
achieve the crude palm oil prices at an average price of RM1,900 to RM2,000 per
tonne and rubber price at RM5 to RM6 per kg, it will be very good," he said.
Chin said it was important for the ministry to embark on branding activities
on Malaysian commodities as soon as possible in order to be competitive and
achieve higher prices in the international market.
"We should brand our palm oil for being such a big consumer item for food,
and now for oleochemicals and biodiesel. So it is appropriate for us to brand
Malaysian palm as an identity with its own properties," he said.
The ministry was also looking to explore new markets via branding
activities, especially for palm oil, in order to separate the country's
production from competitors, Chin said.
"For example, Russia which has been not a very big buyer of palm oil. A new
market like this, it is imperative for us to try and increase their consumption
pattern through branding to promote the advantages of palm oil," he said.
Chin also urged the agencies under his ministry responsible for undertaking
projects under the second economic stimulus package to carry them out
efficiently and with close monitoring.
A total of RM75.888 million has been allocated to the ministry from the
package.
From the amount, RM50.134 million is for the Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
RM15.040 for the Malaysian Timber Development Board, RM5.013 million for the
National Tobacco Board and RM2.692 million for the Malaysian Cocoa Board.
East Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak have also been allocated RM1.504
million each to assist rubber smallholders.
