Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has hosted a delegation from Papua New Guinea led by Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru, as the country seeks closer palm oil cooperation in technical areas and research and development (R and D). According to BERNAMA News Agency, MPOB stated that the visit aimed to explore strategic collaboration in technology transfer, R and D, and policy dialogue to strengthen industrial trade and development between the two countries. Maru highlighted that Papua New Guinea was looking to MPOB as a reference model, emphasizing Malaysia's leadership in R and D and regulatory transparency as it works on developing its own regulatory framework. MPOB chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha noted that cooperation between the two palm oil industries should be pursued through the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries platform. He stated that this would enable producing countries to articulate the industry's contributions to global food security, pov erty eradication, and sustainable development. It would also address misconceptions through science-based narratives and strengthen collective engagement with international standard-setting bodies. In 2025, Malaysian palm oil and palm-based product exports to Papua New Guinea were valued at RM62.5 million, with processed palm oil products accounting for the bulk of shipments. Mohamad Helmy remarked that Malaysia's industry had expanded beyond scale, supported by sustained investment in sustainability, innovation, and governance. He further explained that through continuous R and D, strong certification systems, and science-based policies, Malaysia has demonstrated that palm oil can be both economically viable and environmentally responsible. The collaboration is anticipated to diversify investment opportunities, enhance technology transfer, and strengthen capacity building, thereby supporting sustainable growth of the palm oil industry in both Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.