KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): Sime Darby Plantation Bhd's downstream unit Sime Darby Oils Sdn Bhd has entered into a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company (ADVOC) to market oils and fats products in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Established in 1997 as the first edible oil refinery and manufacturer of edible fats in Abu Dhabi, ADVOC is owned by India-born billionaire Dr BR Shetty.

In a statement today, Sime Darby Oils said the partnership between the two companies will operate in the region as a single sales and marketing team, focusing on basic and specialty fats, including bakery fats, shortening, industrial margarines, spread fats, dairy replacers, confectionary fats and cocoa butter substitutes and replacers.

It said the partnership aspires to help support customers in the MENA region through bespoke solutions using the partners' combined skills and understanding in the oils and fats category, product ideation, development and deployment.

Sime Darby Oils managing director Mohd Haris Mohd Arshad said the MENA region is a key growth market for the company.

"Partnering with ADVOC enables us to establish an on-the-ground presence through enhanced local market knowledge and capabilities, and open up opportunities for sustainable products and supply chain. Through this partnership, we can leverage our respective assets to offer compelling customer propositions," he said.

Shetty, who is also ADVOC's chairman, said Sime Darby Oils' understanding of specialty fats, research and development (R&D) expertise, and agile, collaborative approach complement that of ADVOC's.