35 MIDSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM RUBBER PROJECTS RECEIVE RM9.9 MLN ALLOCATION – MINISTRY

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The government has financed a total of 35 projects related to the midstream and downstream rubber sectors to date with an allocation of RM9.9 million, including 10 projects specifically for the rubber glove sector worth RM3.5 million, according to the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities.

The ministry said it has, through the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) and the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB), implemented various initiatives covering aspects such as promotion, capacity building, automation, digitalisation, green technology and sustainability.

The programmes are continuously enhanced to meet the needs of the industry, it said in a written reply published on the Parliament’s website today.

It was responding to a question from Datuk Wira Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN–Kubang Pasu), who asked the ministry to outline the government’s measures and actions to strengthen the downstream rubber industry, particularly the rubber glove manufacturing industry.

Meanwhile, the ministry said that in terms of promotion and market development, MRC is actively carrying out international promotions in major and emerging markets, including the United States, Europe, China, India, the Middle East, as well as several populous countries and African nations.

It also said that in terms of financial support and incentives, MRC provides various assistance schemes to strengthen the downstream rubber industry, particularly rubber glove manufacturing and the dry rubber subsector.

“Through the Skim Bantuan Industri MRC (SBIM), a total of 20 types of incentives are provided with an emphasis on the small and medium enterprises, covering export market exploration, product certification, purchase of equipment, branding, capacity building, and compliance with sustainability aspects,” the ministry said.

-- BERNAMA