KOTA KINABALU – Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Bhd, in partnership with the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), convened the East Malaysia Palm Oil Forum (EMPOF) 2025 in Sabah, bringing together more than 200 participants from across Southeast Asia. Delegates included policymakers, plantation leaders, traders, financiers, and analysts, underscoring the forum’s importance in charting the future of one of Malaysia’s most critical export industries.
The event, officiated by Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Sabah’s Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor, spotlighted East Malaysia’s increasingly vital contribution to both Malaysia’s palm oil exports and the sector’s transition toward sustainability.
Mohd Saleem Kader Bakas, Director of Derivatives Market at Bursa Malaysia Derivatives, highlighted that the collaboration with MPOC is designed to enhance East Malaysia’s competitiveness on the global stage. He reaffirmed that the Crude Palm Oil Futures (FCPO) contract continues to serve as the world’s benchmark for price discovery, while new instruments such as soybean oil and used cooking oil derivatives reflect Bursa’s commitment to innovation and green growth.
MPOC Chief Executive Officer Belvinder Sron echoed this sentiment, noting that East Malaysia accounts for nearly 44% of the country’s palm oil output. She stressed the need to expand international market access, reinforce sustainable practices, and position the region as a key player in strengthening Malaysia’s global competitiveness.
The forum featured in-depth panel sessions and expert-led discussions on a wide range of pressing issues. These included Malaysia’s potential recognition as a “low-risk” jurisdiction under the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), strategies to advance sustainable palm oil practices, operational challenges in East Malaysia, and new opportunities through IPOs, futures trading, and shifting global trade flows. Price outlooks and demand trends were also a central focus of the deliberations.
In addition to the knowledge-sharing sessions, EMPOF 2025 facilitated active business networking through dedicated events such as Broker Connect and the Sundowner Networking Reception. These gatherings provided a platform for industry stakeholders to forge new partnerships, explore innovative strategies, and collaborate on actionable solutions to drive the palm oil sector forward.
In their closing remarks, Bursa Malaysia Derivatives and MPOC expressed appreciation to the Sabah State Government, industry bodies, expert speakers, delegates, and strategic partners for contributing to the success of EMPOF 2025.
