PM CALLS FOR MORE R&D ON RUBBER PRODUCTS

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged the rubber industry to continue product development research to raise the global use of the commodity supplied by many small farmers in Malaysia.

He said government agencies would support the private sector under the Malaysia Incorporated initiative.

“Today, doctors cannot imagine performing a surgery without donning medical gloves. And we see rubber gloves are increasingly being used in other sectors, such as food handling and cleaning services,” he said after opening the International Rubber Glove Conference and Exhibition (IRGCE 2018), here, yesterday.

Dr Mahathir said Malaysia was the world’s biggest exporter of examination gloves, catheters and condoms.

The IRGCE 2018 is held concurrently with the International Rubber Conference 2018, which is spearheaded by the Plastic and Rubber Institute Malaysia (PRIM).

The three-day conference features 150 speakers from all over the world who will present papers on green technology that optimises fuel input, automated packaging and product innovation.

Also present were Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, Primary Industries Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zurinah Pawanteh, Malaysian Rubber Board director-general Datuk Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor, Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council chief executive officer Low Yoke Kiew, Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma) president Denis Low, PRIM president Pong Kai See and IRGCE 2018 organising chairman Lim Kwee Shyan. Low said the country was on track to achieve RM18.8 billion in rubber glove exports as the US dollar strengthened against the ringgit.

On Margma’s wish-list for the 2019 Budget, Low said he was appealing to the government to raise the limit and extend the reinvestment allowance for manufacturers.

Today, doctors cannot imagine performing a surgery without donning medical gloves. TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD

Prime Minister