MPOB Hosts Papua New Guinea Delegation On Palm Oil Cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has hosted a delegation from Papua New Guinea led by Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru, as the country seeks closer palm oil cooperation in technical areas and research and development (R&D).

MPOB said in a statement the visit aimed to explore strategic collaboration in technology transfer, R&D, and policy dialogue to strengthen industrial trade and development between the two countries.

Maru said Papua New Guinea was looking to MPOB as a reference model, citing Malaysia’s leadership in R&D and regulatory transparency as it develops its own regulatory framework.

MPOB chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said cooperation between the two palm oil industries should be pursued through the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries platform.

“This would enable producing countries to articulate the industry’s contributions to global food security, poverty eradication and sustainable development, address misconceptions through science-based narratives, and strengthen collective engagement with international standard-setting bodies,” he said.

In 2025, Malaysian palm oil and palm-based product exports to Papua New Guinea were valued at RM62.5 million, with processed palm oil products accounting for the bulk of shipments.

Mohamad Helmy said Malaysia’s industry had expanded beyond scale, underpinned by sustained investment in sustainability, innovation and governance.

“Through continuous R&D, strong certification systems and science-based policies, we have demonstrated that palm oil can be both economically viable and environmentally responsible,” he said.

The collaboration is expected to diversify investment opportunities, enhance technology transfer and strengthen capacity building, supporting sustainable growth of the palm oil industry in both Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.

-- BERNAMA