KUCHING: The Republic of Kenya holds great importance for the Malaysian palm oil industry, with trade between the two nations reaching USD1.19bil in 2022.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Kenya emerged as the fifth largest destination for Malaysian palm oil exports, with a volume exceeding 763,000 tonnes last year.
“I believe there are huge opportunities for the private sector in our two countries to redefine business approaches, form partnerships, and strategic alliances to explore new avenues for expanding the edible oil and palm oil business.
“Thus, this Malaysian Palm Oil Forum East Africa 2023 serves as a reminder for us to explore new areas of cooperation and rejuvenate our business linkages, ensuring the continuous progress of bilateral trade between Malaysia and the Republic of Kenya,” he said in his keynote address during the forum on Tuesday (July 4).
The federal Minister of Commodities and Plantation pointed out that the forum aims to bring together stakeholders in the palm oil industry, facilitating networking opportunities and providing participants with the latest knowledge and developments in the sector.
The chosen theme for the forum, ‘Pioneering Sustainable Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,’ reflected the commitment to sustainability in the palm oil industry, he added.
“Recognising the importance of sustainable palm oil production practices, it is essential to promote responsible cultivation methods and ensure the protection of biodiversity and local communities.
“By addressing environmental and social concerns, palm oil can continue to contribute positively to meeting the world’s food security needs,” said Fadillah.
