KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 3): The full implementation of the B10 biodiesel programme in Malaysia will see domestic annual consumption of palm oil, reaching 1.2 million tonnes, according to the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities today.

The ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Himmat Singh, who delivered the opening keynote at the Palm and Lauric Oils Conference 2015/2016 on behalf of Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who was not in attendance, said the ministry is exploring the possibility of implementing the B10 programme nationwide.

“We will also explore the implementation of the biofuel programme in other sectors, such as industry and power generation. In the longer term, this will contribute towards enhanced domestic consumption of palm oil, as well as contribute to the usage of an environmentally-friendly and sustainable source of energy,” he said.

He said Malaysia will continue to promote the use of palm oil in global markets.

“This includes making available data on the use of palm oil for a variety of purposes, and collaborating with research institutions in major importing countries,” said Himmat.

He added Malaysia will also continue to undertake outreach activities in overseas markets on the suitability and sustainable perspectives of palm oil, through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.