Rubber industry can boost country’s economic recovery

The industry has the potential to continue to grow this year after recording an increase in exports reaching RM71b last year

by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / pic by TMR FILE

PLANTATION Industries and Commodities (MPIC) Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin said the rubber industry is one of the contributors to the country’s economic recovery post-Covid-19 pandemic.

She said the Malaysian rubber industry has the potential to continue to grow this year after recording an increase in exports reaching RM71 billion last year, backed by the growing demand from major markets.

MPIC had implemented various programmes through the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) to assist rubber industry players.

This includes incentive packages to support rubber producers and strengthening companies to ensure their international presence.

“The Covid-19 Stimulus Package was introduced in 2020 to support and facilitate the rubber products industry to continue market promotion activities in the new norm.

“The ministry is also working to increase the price of scrap rubber flooring from RM2.50 to RM3.50 per kg to help smallholders,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Zuraida added that MPIC is also working with MRC in the Industry Linkage Fund to encourage collaboration between industry and universities or research institutions in research and development projects that will contribute to the development of the rubber industry in Malaysia.