Council promotes palm oil in UK through participation in carnival

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Palm Oil Council’s (MPOC) European regional office in Brussels, Belgium, participated in the Merdeka Carnival organised by the Malaysian High Commission in London at the United Kingdom (UK)-based Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre.
 
The event in Brickendonbury, held from 10am to 5pm on Aug 26, 2023, attracted over 5,000 people. 
 
“The MPOC booth received an overwhelming response, especially during cooking demonstrations with palm oil by renowned chef Dayana Wong,” MPOC Europe regional manager Uthaya Kumar said.
 
The award-winning author of “Penang Makan: Heritage Street Food Recipes” shared roti canai, ban chang kuih, and cucur udang recipes and cooking methods, as well as cooking local dishes like fish and chips.
 
The cooking demonstrations were to educate consumers on palm oil applications.
 
Uthaya said various palm oil-based products were showcased at the MPOC kiosk.
 
The council is taking various initiatives to continuously promote palm oil in the UK, as the country has given its commitment to recognise the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification in the due diligence guidelines for ensuring that commodities entering the country are sustainable.
 
“This event complemented and added value to the existing initiatives by relevant stakeholders in the UK. An increased number of engagements with local consumers would lead to a better appreciation of Malaysian palm oil as sustainable, healthy, and nutritious,” he told Bernama when contacted.
 
Meanwhile, in his officiating remarks at the event, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to the UK, Datuk Zakri Jaafar, expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming support for the annual carnival, which was initiated almost 20 years ago.
 
“This year the carnival coincides with Malaysia’s 66th Independence Day celebration, which takes place on Aug 31, as well as Hari Malaysia, which falls on Sept 16,” he said.
 
Zakri said this year’s National Day theme, “Malaysia Madani: Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope,” is in line with the government’s determination and commitment to develop Malaysia with its people staying united and in high spirits amid peace and prosperity.
 
“Unity is and must remain our fundamental strength,” he said, adding that the carnival is one of the many ways to show the best of Malaysia and its hospitality.
 
The UK recently joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trading bloc of 11 countries, including Malaysia. This will be Malaysia’s first trade deal with the UK.
 
Malaysia has negotiated with the UK to eliminate tariffs on Malaysian palm oil from the current 12 per cent to zero upon entry into the trade pact.
 
Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded US$7.3 billion (US$1=RM4.64) in 2022, with the UK recording a trade surplus of some US$786 million.
 
For 2023, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board anticipates palm oil exports to increase by 3.7 per cent to 16.3 million metric tonnes due to continuous demand from importing countries. – BERNAMA