Sime Plantation, China’s Cofco form ‘healthy’ partnership
Firms aim to create greater demand for certified sustainable palm oil, says Bakke
CHINA’S top food company, Cofco Group Co Ltd, is partnering Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, Malaysia’s biggest palm oil company, to produce cooking oil, bakery fats and specialty fats in Malaysia for the export market.
“We look forward to seeing the positive results of combining our research and development capa- bilities with Cofco’s expertise in advanced health-based food research,” said Sime Plantation executive deputy chairman and managing director Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh in a statement.
He said the partnership reflected Sime Plantation’s aspiration to promote the health benefits of palm oil and produce certifiedsustainable, premium products, such as palm tocotrienol, red palm olein and palm kernel oil for the market.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Ma- hathir Mohamad yesterday witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Sime Plantation and Cofco.
Also present were Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok and Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) director-general Datuk Ahmad Kushairi Din.
Cofco was represented by president Patrick Yu while Bakke signed for Sime Plantation.
Bakke said Sime Plantation and Cofco aimed to create greater demand for certified sustainable palm oil and increase trade volumes between both countries.
“China has, for many decades, been a traditional market for Malaysian palm oil. Our partner- ship with Cofco is a significant milestone in strengthening trade relations between Malaysia and China.”
He said the MoUs included joint research on the health benefits of palm oil, developing capabilities to manufacture specialty oils and fats, and establishing joint sales and marketing activities to promote premium palm products in China.
“We applaud the Primary Industries Ministry for initiating this collaboration and convey our highest appreciation to the government for its continuous support to the Malaysian palm oil industry,” said Bakke, who is also MPOB chairman.
Yesterday, MPOB signed an MoU with Tsinghua University to promote Malaysian biofuel in China.
On Monday, the Malaysian Rubber Board signed an MoU with Hainan State Farms Investment Holdings Group Co for technological collaboration in rubberised bitumen road as well as rubber tapping automation and mechanisation.
Kok is leading a delegation to promote Malaysia’s commodities.
She will have discussions with China’s Commerce Minister Zhong Shan to intensify investments and product development in palm oil and rubber industries.
Kok will also visit FGV China Oils Ltd Co in Guangzhou.