Malaysian palm oil exports to Saudi Arabia have exceeded 33,000 metric tons (MT) in 2007, according to latest reports from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). The Kingdom's emergence as a re-export hub for oils and fats products has largely contributed to its significant imports, a considerable percentage of which has been re-exported to neighboring GCC states. The promising growth trends in the local and regional market have prompted MPOC and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to host the first “Malaysia-UAE Palm Oil Trade Fair & Seminar (POTS) 2008',” which is being held on May 26-27, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai. Within the last five years, the GCC has become a very important destination for Malaysian palm oil, with total exports of the product to the region averaging at around 500,000 MT annually. Saudi Arabia is one among the largest regional consumers of Malaysian palm oil, recording imports totaling 666,774 MT from 2003 to 2007 - second only to the UAE and followed by Oman by more than 100 percent. “Saudi Arabia has become a leading target for Malaysian palm oil imports due to increasing local demand for the product in the domestic and industrial sectors and the country's growing palm product export market,” said Ahmad Zafri Zawawi, regional director - Middle East, MPOC. “In addition, its strategic geographical location and the presence of major entry ports have made Saudi a gateway for Malaysian palm oil to reach countries within the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea, Eastern Africa and of the Indian Ocean coastline. Given the existence of these business-encouraging factors, we are convinced that this is a perfect time to host the first Malaysia-UAE Palm Oil Trade Fair & Seminar (POTS) 2008 to further strengthen our product's presence in the local and regional market.” In addition to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE have also topped the list of major Malaysian palm oil importers in the Gulf. __
