PRESS RELEASE BY THE
EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN VIENTIANE, LAO PDR
MALAYSIAN PALM OIL BOARD TECHNICAL SEMINAR (MTecS) Laos 2016
28 July 2016
1. As part of the programmes and activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) which was established on 1 July 1966, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), an agency under the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Malaysia, in collaboration with the Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, Lao PDR had organized the inaugural MPOB Technical Seminar (MTecS) Laos at the Landmark Mekong Hotel, Vientiane on 28 July 2016.
2. The one-day seminar received the participation of more than 100 officials representing various Ministries and Government Agencies of the Lao PDR, members of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) as well as participants from the business community and private sector of the Lao PDR. The seminar was officiated by His Excellency Mr. Somchith Inthamith, Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Lao PDR in the presence of His Excellency Dato’ Than Tai Hing, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Lao PDR.
3. In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Dato’ Than said that this inaugural seminar came at a special juncture as Malaysia and the Lao PDR had recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. He also encouraged the business and private sectors of the Lao PDR to seriously look into the potential of expanding its businesses vis-à-vis the palm oil industry given its enormous potential that can bring greater growth and prosperity to the people of the Lao PDR.
4. In his launching remarks to officiate the event, Vice Minister Somchith said that the Lao Government was pleased with the initiative by MPOB to venture into the market of the Lao PDR that will pave the way for a mutually beneficial cooperation by the private sectors of Malaysia and the Lao PDR. The Vice Minister outlined some of the measures currently being undertaken by the Government of the Lao PDR to invite foreign investors to explore business opportunities in the country. He then encouraged the participants to actively explore the possibility of future collaboration with the MPOB and Malaysian business community that would expand bilateral trade between the two countries.
5. The MTecS Laos 2016 had featured prominent speakers and experts from MPOB to cover various aspects of palm oil industry covering on economics, standard and regulation, quality, nutrition and food applications. It has provided the participants with valuable experience, knowledge and technical know-how on the vast potentials of palm oil usage especially to the food industry. The seminar had successfully increased the awareness of palm oil usefulness and commercial benefits in the Lao PDR.
6. The Embassy wishes to thank the strong support of the Government of the Lao PDR in making the event a success. The Embassy will continue to embark on various initiatives to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-Lao PDR diplomatic relations, throughout this commemorative year.
Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane
28 July 2016