The inclusion of Honduras will make CPOPC, initially (having) consisted (of) only Indonesia and Malaysia, stronger
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (ANTARA) - Indonesia welcomed Honduras as the newest member of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), thereby becoming the third after Indonesia and Malaysia.

"Indonesia welcomes Honduras, which officially becomes a CPOPC member state in 2023. The inclusion of Honduras will make CPOPC, initially (having) consisted (of) only Indonesia and Malaysia, stronger," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated during the 11th CPOPC Ministerial Meeting here on Wednesday (May 17).

The meeting was presided over by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantations and Commodities Fadillah Yusof. Honduran Minister of Agriculture and Farming Laura Suazo Torres joined the meeting through virtual means.

While disclosing that Papua New Guinea will be the fourth member of CPOPC, Hartarto encouraged other palm oil-producing countries to engage in partnership under CPOPC and become its members.

He is also optimistic that more members would translate to greater prosperity for residents in CPOPC member states.

Meanwhile, Hartarto affirmed that the purpose of CPOPC is to promote, develop, and intensify cooperation in the palm oil industry among member states.

"As well as to ensure long-term benefit in the economic development of (palm oil) producing countries," he stated.

He said that cooperation among CPOPC member states would be a strategic collaboration in facing the global market, as the organization will become a strong bloc for interaction with the global market and expand the business potentials of its member states.

Apart from the three members, the meeting was attended by representatives from Colombia, Ghana, and Papua New Guinea as observer countries, and Nigeria as a guest country.

During the meeting, the four countries also expressed their support for the CPOPC strategies and priorities to support industry development and address global challenges through efforts comprising steps to ensure food resilience and accelerate renewable energy growth.

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Translator: Benardy F, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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