Malaysia’s rubber industry, including the rubber glove sector, is expected to contribute almost MYR 41 billion (US$9.8 billion) in 2020 – according to rubber glove industry projection, export revenue could likely hit MYR 20.7 billion in 2020,upwards from the MYR 18.2 billion estimated for 2019. Hence, Minister of Primary Industries Teresa Kok has urged the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) to continue commercialising its research and development (R&D) projects to boost the income of the country and benefit smallholders. Kok noted that MRB’s accomplishments in R&D have so far propelled the country to the global stage for its high quality rubber-based products.
“The MRB should continue with its R&D and strive to be an innovative organisation. It must be at the forefront of major changes in order to remain competitive, on par or better than other natural rubber producers,” Kok said at an MRB Innovation Award presentation in November 2019.
Kok further encouraged MRB to continue with its R&D in market-driven activities that smallholders could capitalise on. She hopes that the industry, estate operators and smallholders could together benefit from increased productivity and development of high quality marketable rubber-based products.