Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia are seen as new potential markets for palm oil exports, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said today.

Kok stated that efforts to promote palm oil will begin with her deputy Iskandar Mohd Akin making official visits to both countries next week.

"The two countries are the early targets of the government in its efforts to explore new markets as a long term initiative to market palm oil."

"Next week, the deputy minister will attend a palm oil seminar in Saudi Arabia before visiting Ethiopia. These are new markets and he will make an effort to promote the country’s palm oil to both countries concerned," she said.

Kok was speaking after the officiation of the 'Cooking with palm oil' competition in conjunction with the Love MY Palm Oil campaign 2019 in Jempol today.

Also present was Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council CEO Chew Jit Seng and Havys Oil Mill Sdn Bhd chairperson Lim Kin Eng.

Elaborating further, Kok said efforts to step up the promotion of palm oil would be assisted by other ministries, whenever invitations for official overseas visits are received.

"Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu has previously indicated that he would try and attract Russian and Iranian interest in buying palm oil when attending meetings related to defence with both countries.

"These are also new markets for Malaysia, and I am confident it will contribute to the government’s initiatives to enhance palm oil exports.

Asked about the government's efforts at enhancing bilateral relations between Malaysia and China, Kok said the move would certainly help contribute to an increase in the export value of local commodities,

"The Malaysian Palm Oil Council and my ministry will also organise various programmes to try and attract more companies from China to invest in Malaysia, as well as, purchase the country’s palm oil,” she added.

- Bernama