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Boosting biofuel efforts
September-October . 2024 | @ AGROBiz
Local News
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Groundbreaking focus
THE Global AgriTech Summit 2024 ( GATES24 ) is expected to bring together key players from the agriculture sector , including thought leaders , innovators , and industry experts , to explore the latest advancements and innovations in AgriTech that are shaping the future of agriculture .
The Summit is on Oct 8-9 at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu .
Vice Organising Chairman Dailan Muhammad said GATES24 was a pivotal platform that not only brought together the brightest minds in AgriTech but also fostered collaboration and innovation across the agriculture sector .
“ We are committed to creating an environment where participants can share knowledge , explore new opportunities , and drive meaningful change in the industry ,” said Dailan .
Deputy Chief Minister and
Minister of Agriculture , Fishery and Food Industry Sabah Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said he was proud to be the patron of this 3rd Global AgriTech Summit .
“ The challenges faced in agriculture are not unique to Sabah or Malaysia ; they are global issues that require concerted effort and a shared vision ,” said Jeffrey .
He also mentioned that this event was timely as it aligned with the ministry ’ s commitment to promoting a vibrant , modern , productive , and sustainable agricultural sector .
This international engagement is crucial in ensuring that Malaysia is at the forefront of global agricultural innovation . Local farmers and stakeholders will have access to the latest innovations to improve their productivity and thus contribute to the country ’ s economy .
The event is endorsed and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture , Fishery and Food Industry ,
Chan Foong Hin with the Chinese delegation touring the Sawit POIC Sandakan Industrial Park .
Sabah , and is being held in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia ( UPM ).
Additionally , Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation ( MDEC ) serves as the official digital partner , and Invest Sabah is the exclusive investment partner .
PERDASAMA Sabah , Sabah Tourism Board and Eco Yap have lent their support . @ AGROBiz is the official media partner .
GATES24 is poised to be a landmark event for the agriculture industry . It will offer a unique opportunity for stakeholders to come together , exchange ideas , and shape the future of global agriculture .
Sabah ’ s palm oil attraction
Three Chinese companies have shown interest in Sabah ’ s palm oil downstream sector , indicating a rising appetite for investment opportunities in the State .
These businesses are looking at the possibility of working together and establishing operations in Sabah , with an emphasis on value-added processing and the production of sustainable energy , according to Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin .
The visiting Chinese delegation was particularly interested in Sabah ’ s capabilities in processing palm kernel cake ( PKC ) and the production of biomass energy and sustainable aviation fuel ( SAF ).
These would be derived from palm oil mill effluent ( POME ) and pretreated used cooking oil ( UCO ), highlighting the State ’ s potential in sustainable industries . Chan emphasised that Sabah , Malaysia ’ s largest palm oil-producing State , is well-suited to expand its downstream sector and tap into the high-value-added product market .
“ It is time for Sabah to boost the development of its downstream industry ,” Chan stated , noting that this focus could generate significant economic benefits for the State .
He also mentioned his recent efforts to promote Malaysia-China collaborations in the plantation and commodities sectors .
He added : “ It is encouraging to see these efforts bear fruit , as they have successfully generated significant interest and investment intent from Chinese companies in Sabah ’ s palm oil downstream industry .”
To strengthen this interest , Chan and his ministry facilitated the visit of the Chinese delegation by coordinating with various agencies .
“ We have worked closely with various agencies to arrange their visit , ensuring they can fully appreciate the vast potential Sabah offers , thereby enhancing their confidence and commitment to investing here ,” Chan explained .
The delegation ’ s visit included a tour of the Sawit POIC Sandakan Industrial Park and a roundtable discussion with both federal and State government agencies . The discussion focused on investment opportunities in Sabah and highlighted the incentives and support measures available for foreign investors considering establishing operations in the region .
Boosting biofuel efforts
SABAH has the potential to play a more significant role in biomass and biofuel development , according to Plantations and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin .
However , he noted that due to low awareness , Sabah remained one of the lowest contributors of used cooking oil ( UCO ) in Malaysia .
Speaking at the Fryer 2 Flyer campaign on Aug 3 in Kota Kinabalu , Chan explained that Petronas Dagangan Berhad ( PDB ) launched this initiative in July last year to promote UCO recycling .
“ The City Hall is contemplating the implementation of a by-law regarding the use of plastic bags . Therefore , I believe that they should also consider a by-law regarding the disposal and recycling of used cooking oil in order to further our efforts to achieve a low-carbon city status for Kota Kinabalu ,” he said .
Selected gas stations in Sabah offer RM2.50 per kilogramme of UCO , which is lower than in Peninsular Malaysia due to local subsidies .
The collected UCO is converted into sustainable aviation fuel ( SAF ), which has triple the value of regular aviation fuel .
By year-end , Petronas aims to gather 500,000 kilogrammes of UCO nationwide .