Malaysia, Kenya explore palm oil processing venture to boost trade
KUALA LUMPUR: Kenya has expressed keen interest in partnering with Malaysia to set up a palm oil processing centre at the Mombasa Industrial Park in Nairobi, as part of efforts to deepen bilateral trade ties and support local employment.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the proposal reflects Kenya's strong intent to grow two-way trade and position itself as a regional hub for palm oil processing and distribution.
The proposal was raised during a meeting between Johari and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui, on the second day of Johari's three-day official visit to the East African nation.
"I have just met Kenya's trade minister and he stressed that we are Kenya's biggest exporter of palm oil, reaching more than RM5 billion," Johari said.
"He proposed that we look at ways to enhance trade between both countries to ensure the trade deficit faced by Kenya does not widen further."
In 2024, Malaysia exported RM5.2 billion worth of palm oil and related products to Kenya, accounting for nearly 95 per cent of its total exports to the country.
Johari said the proposed palm oil processing centre would not only strengthen Kenya's domestic downstream sector, but also serve as a springboard into the wider East African Community (EAC).
The EAC comprises over 330 million people across countries including Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
"One of the suggestions was to invite investors involved in the palm oil industry to open a processing centre at the Mombasa Port," he said.
"With this, they can see that the economic activities are not limited to just exporting palm oil, it can also create job opportunities for locals in Kenya."
He added that Malaysia views Kenya not only as a strategic trade partner, but also as a key entry point to the broader African continent.
"Mombasa is a major trade gateway to eight East African countries and this presents a good opportunity for us to scale up our palm oil exports and industrial cooperation," Johari said.
Also present at the meeting were Plantation and Commodities Ministry Deputy Secretary General (Commodities) Datuk Razali Mohammad and Malaysian Palm Oil Council chief executive officer Belvinder Sron.
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