The China (Chongqing) – Malaysia Industry Cooperation Dialogue was successfully held in Chongqing last Thursday, with a strong focus on expanding collaboration in palm oil trade, technological innovation, and the development of sustainable supply chains. Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin, led the delegation, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to deepening strategic engagement with China in these key areas.
The dialogue was a highlight of the 7th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT), reaffirming Chongqing’s strategic role within the Malaysia-China green value chain.
The event was co-hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), and New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd., with co-organisation by Beijing Heyirong Co., Ltd. and the Oils & Fats Sub-Committee of the Chongqing Grain and Oil Industry Association. It was held at the Chongqing International Expo Center.
This year’s forum focused on the prospects for palm oil in western China, particularly its industrial applications and market opportunities in the Sichuan-Chongqing region.
Over 40 representatives from leading enterprises in food processing, condiments, personal care, and oil refining industries attended the event for targeted business matching and dialogue.
In his keynote address, YB Datuk Chan highlighted the growing global momentum toward green development, stressing that palm oil can serve as a critical bridge for regional cooperation.
"Malaysia is eager to leverage its Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification—one of the world’s highest sustainability standards—to deepen institutional linkages with China in areas such as carbon labelling, biofuels, and green materials," said Chan. "Together, we can build a supply network that is not only efficient and innovative, but also environmentally responsible." He noted the vast market potential in western China, with Chongqing acting as a central hub in the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. This logistical advantage allows Malaysian palm oil to efficiently reach inland provinces such as Sichuan, Guizhou, and Shaanxi via the Qinzhou Port-Chongqing route.
The event also marked a milestone in agency-level cooperation. Chan announced that MPOB and New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd. had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the development of a strategic palm oil supply chain covering western China. In addition, Malaysia is collaborating with Chongqing Jiaotong University on the development of palm oil-based polyurethane acrylate for anticorrosive coating—broadening the scope of palm-based chemicals in China’s industrial sector.
Malaysia is also promoting high-value palm derivatives such as red palm oil, palm stearin, and palm-based ice cream powder. Joint R&D initiatives are underway with food companies in Sichuan and Chongqing, targeting applications in hotpot soup bases, spicy snacks, and sustainable personal care products.
Looking ahead, Chan emphasized the enduring strength and depth of Malaysia-China relations. As China pursues its vision of a shared future for mankind, Malaysia is proud to work alongside it—using palm oil as a bridge to promote regional green growth and sustainable development.
In his remarks, Deputy Mayor of Chongqing, H.E. Jiang Guojie welcomed Malaysian businesses to invest and expand in the city, noting Chongqing’s efforts to develop high-end, intelligent, and green oil processing industries. He highlighted the city’s ambition to become a leading inland hub for green food and biochemicals under the Western Land-Sea New Corridor strategy.
Also speaking at the event, MPOB Director-General Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir gave an in-depth presentation on the outlook for Malaysia’s palm oil industry in 2024 and its relevance to the Chinese market. He expressed optimism about palm oil’s prospects across the food, energy, and personal care sectors and called for deeper collaboration with Sichuan and Chongqing enterprises.
The dialogue concluded with a high-level roundtable on “The Future of China’s Palm Oil Industry Amid Global Oils and Fats Trends.” Moderated by Zhou Shiyong, President of Beijing Heyirong Co., Ltd., the session featured robust discussion on trade trends, sustainability certification, technological innovation, and policy frameworks.
This successful industry dialogue not only strengthened Malaysia-China collaboration across the palm oil value chain but also injected fresh momentum into building a green, efficient, and mutually beneficial regional supply network—marking a new chapter in bilateral economic cooperation.