MALAYSIA: Conduct R&D to come up with new technologies in rubber industry, says Hamza

Concerted efforts must be made to step up research and development in the natural rubber industry to come up with new technologies which can be adopted quickly by upstream and downstream industries.

Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Hamzah Zainudin said new technology findings would ensure the country''s rubber industry remained stable and competitive.

"We can take pride in our past research and development initiatives which have aided our natural rubber industry to grow dynamically and made our Rubbber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) a renowned entity in the world in natural rubber research," he said at the Malaysian Rubber Board Award Night.

Hamzah however cautioned that Malaysia should not be complacent over its past successes and achievements.

"It is important that every invention and innovation is commercialised quickly to boost the nation''s revenue and to benefit consumers."

(Syed Rashid Ali, Karachi, Pakistan)