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AgBiotech
A leader in agriculture, Golden Hope has been able to maintain quality and sustainability through R&D. Established in 1921, it has now grown into the foremost agronomic research units in Malaysia, boasting four research centers across the country. Product and process development is foremost in improving efficiency and quality of the product. By adopting the highest standards, Golden Hope is known across the country for its high crop yields, quality and environmental sustainability. Similarly, its focus on R&D allowed it to lay claim as the first company to produce palm oil products traceable to its seeds.
 
Similarly, under a revolutionary programme by the Technology Park Malaysia Biodiversity Research and Production Center, the Orang Asli of Raub will soon be able to benefit by supplying medicinal plants through commercial planting to the center. The programme allows the villagers to plant medicinal plants in between other crops in their own smallholdings or participate in its commercial planting to increase their income.
   
 
In other news, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is encouraging the merging of small farms to increase quality and productivity of farm produce. The Prime Minister envisioned a network of inter-supportive farm which allow farm owners to share expertise and exchange experience.  
 
Environment
There has been a recent foray into synthesizing products from previously un-usable products. UniMaS researchers have found a way to make paper from oil palm waste. The high-strength layered paper is made from empty fruit bunches (EFBs) of the oil palm and is suitable for packaging materials and heavy-duty use. The innovation will provide palm plantations with an alternative source of income which not only gets rid of EFBs but may also be the basis for cottage and small-scale industry among the local community.
 
Similarly, with the approval of the Department of Environment, Sime Inax Sdn. Bhd. will be the first Malaysian company to turn scheduled waste into construction bricks. Innovated by a Japanese company, the bricks are synthesized from burnt waste otherwise destined for landfills. Though no official approval has been given as of yet, the bricks have been lauded for its potential impact which may help safeguard the environment.
 
Investment & Trade
Ernst & Young revealed on the 7th of June that in the midst of the aggressive push to stimulate the biotechnology industry in Malaysia, local players are emerging to become top-ranking leaders in the fast-growing billion-dollar industry. This push is further enhanced by the personal interest of the Prime Minister who then went on to announce the National Biotechnology Policy in April. The strong foundation of this relatively young industry is slated to grow into one of the major contributors to the nation’s economy.
 
Hence, with the perennial focus from investors, the capital market as well as the government, it is no wonder companies like Equator Life are growing rapidly in terms of economic strength. Eight year of slowly chipping away at the global horticulture market has paid off in handsome dividends as the 2004 financial year drew to a close, with an estimated profit of RM6.1 million. Currently, Equator Life Managing Director Murphy Koh has his eyes set on expansion into the Chinese and Eastern European market and even possibly the flower production market.
   

Similarly, another company by the name of Stevian Biotechnology Corp is making waves with its industrial stevia-based sweeteners which began to infiltrate the Malaysian market last month. Sparked from Cold War concerns of the former USSR that sugar access would be impeded, stevia-based sweetener research was conducted by many research centers under Soviet leadership. Today, it is being utilized as a safe and economically viable alternative to sugar.

 
Policy
The tentative launch of the Green Book, an encompassing master plan aiding the development of agriculture is expected to speed up the agricultural revolution nationwide. By concerting development in the agricultural sector and link various agencies up to the ministry, the plan will detail the methods in which all related agencies should carry out their activities. The Green Book has been compared to the agricultural programmes of the 1970s and is anticipated to be announced next year.
 
A policy pertaining biofuel is being expected to be put forward in the Cabinet next week. According to Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin, the draft would see the mandatory blending of palm oil into consumer diesel. This would see the cooperation with the ministry and an unnamed American company to produce and market the biofuel.
 
Medical & Health
The Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh has announced that there had been no traces of the deadly avian flu virus that terrorized the country and that Malaysia is free of bird flu. Rigorous monitoring by the institute on bird farms and regular testing has not yielded any sign of the virus since the last incidence of bird flu in Kelantan six months ago. However, despite the announcement, Malaysia will still be vigilant and remain on full alert following the discovery of the H5N1 virus causing the death of migratory birds in China.
   
In a determined effort to extinguish dengue, the Selangor Health Department has sounded the battle horns for a stronger fight against the deadly disease. With more than 5000 cases being reported in the state alone since January, authorities are taking a more proactive stance in educating the public and help control the spread of the endemic disease.
 
In other news, a joint research expedition by the Forest Research Institute Malaysia and the Forestry Department has culminated in the discovery of the rich diversity of herbal plants in Gunung Aais forest reserve area. The week long expedition has seen the researchers identifying 70 species of herbs and 38 herbal plant families which may potentially bring a great boost to the country’s medical industry.