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| Malaysia Rubber Board Director General Dato' Dr. Kamarul Baharain Basir |
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As demand for rubber rises globally, the Malaysian Rubber Board’s role as a research and development body assumes greater importance if it hopes to keep the domestic industry competitive amid economic globalization and liberalization.
Dato’ Dr. Kamarul Baharain Basir, director general of the MRB, is confident that Malaysia will remain a leader in the industry despite strong competition from other rubber-producing nations.
Established in January 1998, the MRB was formed following the merger of three agencies — the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, the Rubber Research and Development Board, and the Malaysian Rubber Exchange.
RRIM, its research arm, has pioneered rubber research during the past 77 years and continues to generate new technologies that provide the cutting edge to the country’s rubber industry.
The MRB has also contributed significantly to the formulation of policies and priorities regarding the development of the industry.
‘‘The MRB is the world leader in research in the production of natural rubber as well as in the manufacture of rubber-based products, and we’re constantly developing new technologies to support industries in producing high-quality products to keep our competitive advantage,’’ says Kamarul.
‘‘Recent advances in biotechnology have paved the way for a wide range of rubberbased materials that have great potential in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and medical industries,’’ he adds.
The MRB exports a variety of rubber and rubber-based products to the United States, Asia and Europe. The country is a leading producer of latex gloves, latex thread, catheters and condoms, with latex goods accounting for about 76 percent of total rubber exports.
Meanwhile, Japan has become an increasingly important market for the MRB.
"We have long-standing partnerships with companies like Bridgestone and Sumitomo, supplying them with rubber, mainly for use in tire production. We understand their need for high-quality natural rubber, so we’re developing materials that fit their criteria. We would like to see our relationship strengthen with Japan, and will pursue future projects with them as well as with other Japanese agencies to enhance cooperation for the mutual benefit of our two countries,’’ says Kamarul.
The MRB also remains at the forefront of efforts for so-called greener production of rubber.
‘‘The MRB has developed environmentally-friendly technologies to sustain the environment and keep our customers happy. We’re working with Sumitomo in R&D to produce specialty natural rubber materials for ‘green tires.’ We’re revolutionizing the production process by eliminating all waste,’’ he says.
That development is in line with changing times as the MRB takes on a more challenging role in the nation’s progress toward prosperity while balancing growth with environmental considerations.
www.lgm.gov.my
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