CPOPC INITIATIVES HELPING PALM OIL PRODUCERS AMID GLOBAL CHALLENGES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 -- Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry secretary-general Ravi Muthayah has lauded initiatives undertaken by the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) to dampen the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and negative campaigns against the industry globally. 

Ravi, during a virtual CPOPC 20th senior officials meeting which he co-chaired yesterday, said the CPOPC had forged formidable cooperation and networking for the betterment of the global palm oil industry despite facing various challenges.

“The CPOPC has provided a leadership role to counter negative palm oil campaigns and communications.

“Observer countries and other palm oil-producing countries are invited to be part of these common efforts in key consuming countries as well as in regional and international fora, including United Nations bodies,” the CPOPC said in a statement today.

According to the statement, Ravi also expressed hope that three observer countries, namely Colombia, Honduras and Ghana, would be accepted as full-fledged members of the council soon.

The CPOPC also said the smallholders of the three observer countries were participating in and actively contributing to smallholders’ outreach programmes for the Asia and the Pacific, Central and South America, and Africa regions.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, palm oil-producing countries have been managing their national plans to support the industry, improve the capacity and livelihood of smallholders, and maintain the important value of the sector for national and global interests,” said the intergovernmental organisation for palm oil-producing countries.

It added that global smallholder alliance should be nurtured as a common platform to spearhead the overall interests of the palm oil industry.

On another note, the CPOPC noted that it would hold its 8th ministerial meeting next month, after the start of its Indonesia Malaysia CEO Forum (IMCEOF). 

-- BERNAMA