KUALA LUMPUR: The Oils and Fats International Congress 2014 (OFIC 2014), which will be held on Nov 5-6, 2014 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre,  will host an evening forum on the first day that will be open to the public.

Entitled "Strategic Developments for Oils and Fats: Sustainability and Economic Challenges", the forum will take place from 5pm to 7pm. It will be moderated by Malaysian Oil Scientists' & Technologists' Association council member MR Chandran who is an acknowledged authority on the palm oil industry.

The public forum is part of this year's OFIC, which is being organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and supported by the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry and industry associations such as the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, the Malaysian Palm Oil Association and the Palm Oil Refiners Association of Malaysia. The Edge Media Group is the media partner.

The congress, themed "Global Oil & Fats: Addressing Major Challenges", will present insights into various current scenarios affecting the palm oil industry and will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Speakers during the two-day congress include International Trade and Industry Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta, who will speak on free trade agreements (FTAs), providing a broad framework of Malaysia’s involvement in FTAs and its impact on the industry and economy.

Indonesian Palm Oil Board (IPOB) chairman Derom Bangun is expected to present the Indonesian perspective on palm oil business, touching on the Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standard, economic challenges faced by Indonesia palm oil industry and the Indonesian biodiesel mandate.

As concerns of crude palm oil (CPO) are assuaged by the recent rebound in rates, Oil World executive director Thomas Mielke will provide an analysis of not only CPO prices into 2015, but also other oils and fats.

He is expected to address latest Oil World forecasts, including the way in which future demand will be fulfilled and at what price.

Also on the list of speakers is MPOB director-general Datuk Dr Choo Yuen May, who will be presenting on research and development in sustainable bioenergy and the success of the biofuel programme.

Others include Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil secretary-general Datuk Darrel Webber, who will be addressing the rise of national sustainability schemes, in addition to the various voluntary standards and certifications that have cropped up in the industry.