Bursa Malaysia, MPOC Spotlight East Malaysia’s Role In Global Palm Oil Market
Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Bhd and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) co-hosted the East Malaysia Palm Oil Forum (EMPOF) 2025 in Sabah, drawing over 200 delegates from across Southeast Asia, including policymakers, traders, plantation leaders, financial institutions and analysts. The event highlighted East Malaysia’s growing role in driving sustainable palm oil and contributing significantly to Malaysia’s export output.
The forum was officiated by Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Sabah, representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor.
Mohd Saleem Kader Bakas, Director of Derivatives Market at Bursa Malaysia Derivatives, said the collaboration with MPOC aimed to strengthen East Malaysia’s competitiveness. He noted that the Crude Palm Oil Futures contract remains a global benchmark for price discovery, with new instruments such as soybean oil and used cooking oil reflecting the exchange’s focus on innovation and sustainability.
Belvinder Sron, CEO of MPOC, emphasised East Malaysia’s pivotal role, contributing nearly 44% of national palm oil production and highlighted efforts to expand market access, support sustainability and enhance global competitiveness.
The forum featured expert-led sessions and panel discussions covering key topics, including Malaysia’s potential “low-risk” classification under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), sustainable palm oil practices, production and trade challenges in East Malaysia, market opportunities such as IPOs and futures trading and evolving trade dynamics and price outlooks.
EMPOF also facilitated business networking through sessions like Broker Connect and the Sundowner Networking Reception, enabling regional palm oil stakeholders to explore strategic collaborations and actionable solutions.
Bursa Malaysia Derivatives and MPOC expressed gratitude to the Sabah State Government, industry associations, speakers, delegates and partners for contributing to the success of EMPOF 2025.
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