Malásia promove óleo de palma na Coreia

(Notícia em Inglês)
With palm oil gaining popularity for its wide range of uses ­ from cooking to alternative fuel ­ Malaysia stands ready to supply greater amounts to Korea, an official said.

Palm oil products from Malaysia, Korea’s leading palm oil supplier, took the spotlight at a recent trade fair in Seoul organized by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) and the Korean Society of Food Science and Technology (KSFST).

“Malaysia takes its position as South Korea’s favored palm oil supplier seriously,” said Tab Sri Bernard Dompok, Malaysian minister for plantation industries, in a keynote speech. “We will continue to foster closer ties and encourage further use of palm oil in both the food and non-food sectors.”

The affordable oil has emerged as a source of alternative energy at a time when crude oil prices have soared. Its products represent 21 percent of the oil and fats industry here.

So far Korea, which imports a vast majority of its palm oil from Malaysia, uses it mainly in instant noodle and snack food production. But Seoul recently implemented a biodiesel mandate of 2 percent by 2012, a move Dompok said bodes well for the strengthening of economic ties between the sides.

“Palm-based biodiesel is both environmentally-friendly and reduces dependency on fossil fuels,” he said. “I’m sure the private sectors of both countries can explore this opportunity.”

koreatimes.co.kr»