BANGI – Officials from the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry are expected to meet the Belgian ambassador to Malaysia in early May, after the EU member’s decision to ban the use of palm oil as a biofuel from next year.
Minister Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said the meeting is not necessarily confined to palm oil issues but could also be a platform for the ministry to discuss matters related to other national commodities, including cocoa.
“The Belgian ambassador has requested to meet me but due to time constraints, our meeting will be held when I pay a courtesy call on the Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri in early May,” he told reporters in conjunction with the pre-launch of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Technology Transfer Seminar and Exhibition here today.
Khairuddin said what is important is that both parties can discuss issues related to Malaysia’s commodities, as well as forging bilateral cooperation.
On April 13, international media reported that biofuels made from palm oil and soybean will no longer be allowed into the Belgian market starting next year, as part of the country’s efforts to reduce deforestation globally. – Bernama, April 20, 2021
