KL's palm oil trip to Russia

KL's palm oil trip to Russia

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): A high-level Malaysian delegation will make a two-week-long trip to Russia, Ukraine and Hungary to sell palm oil in a bid to tap new markets abroad, a top official said Friday.

Primary Industries Minister Lim Keng Yaik said he will lead a government delegation on Saturday to the three countries, during which he is also scheduled to hold talks with his counterparts.

The Malaysian palm oil promotion drive would visit Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia, Budapest in Hungary and Kiev in Ukraine.

"The mission becomes even more significant in view of the current sluggish market for palm oil and hence the need to intensify the marketing efforts for Malaysian palm oil and its products to our potential customers," he said in a statement.

Russia, he said, was a large importer of edible oils and fats, while palm oil had the potential to be used for industrial purposes in Hungary and Ukraine.