Latest news with #EuropeanUnionDeforestationRegulation
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia targets 'low-risk' EU status to tackle deforestation rule
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's newly established special committee on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is examining how countries like Thailand attained a low-risk classification. This status allows them to export forest-based products to the EU with fewer restrictions. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the committee includes his ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. It will coordinate efforts to help Malaysia secure low-risk status for forest-based product exports. "The first step is to review and understand why Malaysia is categorised as standard risk, while countries like Thailand have achieved a low-risk status. "We need to identify the differences and work on improving them. Eventually, we too will attain a low-risk classification. "At present, 30 per cent of our exports are subject to sampling and inspection. "To facilitate exports, we must upgrade from standard risk to low-risk. "Once we achieve low-risk status, our products will enter international markets more easily." He said this after attending the Titiwangsa Umno delegates' meeting. Johari, who chairs the committee, said that to attain low-risk status, Malaysia must align its forest governance, certification systems and monitoring practices with international standards. He added that cooperation from state governments will be crucial, given their role in forest land management. Asked when Malaysia might achieve low-risk status, Johari said: "If possible, as soon as possible, but we need to do it right." "Some areas may have exceeded deforestation thresholds, so they will need to be reviewed carefully." On June 26, the government formed a special committee to spearhead Malaysia's response to EUDR, aiming to maintain EU market access and strengthen sustainability compliance across key export sectors. It held its first meeting in Putrajaya on June 26, bringing together officials and technical experts to align national policies, implementation strategies and data systems with EUDR requirements. The committee will also serve as the central platform for Malaysia's engagement with the European Commission, including the submission of official datasets, policy updates, and participation in technical exchanges. This whole-of-government effort underscores Malaysia's commitment to sustainability across key commodities — including palm oil, rubber, timber and cocoa — which collectively generated RM186 billion in export value last year.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia launches digital system to ensure sustainable rubber traceability
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has launched a new digital system called MSNR Trace to track the movement of natural rubber from plantations to end products, ensuring it is produced sustainably and meets international standards. The system supports Malaysia's efforts to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires proof that goods like rubber are not linked to deforestation and are fully traceable. Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the system, which began enforcement in January 2025, shows Malaysia's commitment to responsible and transparent rubber production. "One of the main challenges in the global rubber industry is the lack of a full traceability system. MSNR Trace is our solution to that," he said during the launch ceremony today. Developed by the Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM), MSNR Trace combines several existing platforms into one system that helps monitor and document each step in the supply chain. Chan said the system allows buyers and regulators to confirm where and how the rubber was produced, giving confidence that it meets environmental and social standards. He added that enforcement is already being carried out in the field to ensure the system is working effectively. Malaysia was once the world's top rubber producer, generating 1 million tonnes annually. But output has fallen to 380,000 tonnes, forcing the country to import RM6 billion worth of rubber to meet local demand. Meanwhile, LGM director-general Datuk Zairossani Mohd Nor said the system is a major step forward in the board's efforts to modernise and make the industry more sustainable. "With MSNR Trace, we can now provide full transparency to international buyers. This will strengthen Malaysia's reputation as a trusted exporter of sustainable, high-quality rubber," Zairossanisaid. He also said that two Malaysian rubber processors have already exported products using the MSNR system, proving it is ready for global markets. Malaysia last year exported 200 tonnes of MSNR-compliant rubber to Slovakia and the Netherlands, marking its first shipment of sustainable rubber to the European Union.
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Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Task Force on textile exports to tackle sectoral issues: Commerce Ministry
A task force on textile exports will create a unified platform to address critical issues concerning the sector to boost outbound shipments, the Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday. The country aims to increase textile exports to $100 billion by 2030-31. The first meeting of the task force was held on June 10 under the chairpersonship of Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal to discuss issues and strategies for enhancing textiles exports from India, besides increasing share in global markets. Barthwal said the primary objective of the task force is to create a unified platform for addressing critical issues concerning the textile sector by involving all relevant stakeholders. Special Secretary, Department of Commerce, Rajesh Agrawal said there is a need to focus on innovations keeping in view the latest trends to garner a higher share of the export market. Textiles is one of the key focused sectors identified by the Department of Commerce for promoting exports. While the government is continuously working on trade agreements with various countries to remove tariff disadvantages, the industry should work on formulating plans to utilise them more effectively. The discussions during the meeting covered matters and issues pertaining to the entire textiles value chain, the ministry said. This included skilling, labour, cost competitiveness, use of renewable energy, current schemes for supporting the textile sector, quality control orders, logistics, and productivity enhancement of natural fibres, such as jute. Representatives of the various textile export promotion councils and industry associations shared their views and suggestions on these matters. "It was further decided that sub-task forces will be set up for these led by the concerned Ministry along with participants from export promotion councils and the industry to work on and provide suitable recommendations to the Task Force," it added. In the meeting, other issues included the upgradation of ESG infrastructure in garment manufacturing units, use of renewable energy, European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), strengthening of e-commerce for export growth and simplifying regulatory framework, it said. Besides, labour, cost competitiveness for productivity enhancement, skilling, and branding were also discussed. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fibre2Fashion
11-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Addressing key issues aim of Indian Task Force on Textiles Exports
The primary objective of the Task Force on Textiles Exports is to create a unified platform to address critical issues of the textile sector by involving all relevant stakeholders, Indian commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal told the first meeting of the task force held in Delhi yesterday. That would help resolve issues and formulate strategies for enhancing India's share of textile exports in global markets, he said. The primary objective of the Task Force on Textiles Exports is to create a unified platform to address critical issues of the textile sector by involving all relevant stakeholders, Indian Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told the first meeting of the task force held in Delhi yesterday. That would help resolve issues and formulate strategies for enhancing India's share of textile exports globally. The meeting discussed upgradation of environmental, social and governance infrastructure in garment manufacturing units, use of renewable energy, European Union Deforestation Regulation, strengthening of e-commerce for export growth and simplifying regulatory framework, labour, and raising cost competitiveness for productivity enhancement. It also discussed development of new jute diversified products, separate HS codes for products with geographical indication, productivity enhancement of natural fibres and matters related to the Export Promotion Mission being set up by department of commerce. Representatives of the various textiles Export Promotion Councils and industry associations offered their views and suggestions, a release from the ministry of commerce and industry said. Meanwhile, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) welcomed the approach adopted by the Ministry of Commerce to ensure that textile exporters can derive the fullest advantage of trade agreements signed by India and those on the verge of being signed, CITI chairman Rakesh Mehra said in a release. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
B20 biodiesel trial at KLIA may expand to ports nationwide
SEPANG: Malaysia aims to expand the use of B20 palm-based biodiesel to major ports across the country, building on a new pilot programme launched at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the initiative reflects the country's broader commitment to lowering carbon emissions and enhancing the sustainability of its palm oil industry. Currently, Malaysian airports operate using B10 biodiesel. The shift to B20, a blend containing 20 per cent palm-based methyl ester, represents a major step toward meeting Malaysia's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, he said. He added the trial phase at KLIA will require about 350,000 litres of B20 per month. If proven successful, the initiative will be extended to other key locations across the country. "This marks the beginning of our journey for airports, while we wait for a new mandate on the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for jets. When jets begin using SAF, we will also use biodiesel for ground handling—making it a complete package for our airports. "Looking ahead, I also want to see similar implementations at our major ports—such as Northport, Westport, Tanjung Pelepas Port (PTP), Johor Port, and Kuantan Port. I want to see how the companies operating in these areas can start considering the use of B20," he said. Johari was speaking to reporters after the launch ceremony of the pilot project for the use of B20 palm biodiesel in ground service equipment (GSE) at KLIA. He said B20 has already been introduced in Langkawi, Labuan, and Sarawak, which have the necessary blending facilities. "For comparison, Indonesia is already at B40, while our industry is still at B7. So, this is part of the process we must go through to reach our net-zero carbon goal by 2050," he said. Johari also expressed hope that Malaysia, currently classified as a standard risk under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), will be reclassified as a low-risk country in the next review, which is expected to take place in 2026. "The statistics used to assign our current standard risk status were based on data from 2020. So the progress we made in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 wasn't taken into account. Many countries have taken major steps over the past five years, including ours," he added. He said that despite being classified as a standard risk, demand for Malaysian palm oil remains strong. The country produces about 19 million tonnes annually, with four million tonnes consumed locally and the remaining 15 million tonnes fully exported. "Countries like China, India, and even the European Union are still buying from us. I want to focus on improving our country's risk status. "If we can achieve a "low risk" classification, that would benefit us as well as other industries. To make that happen, we need to work closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources," he added.
