Despite instability associated with the global mining and hydrocarbons sectors, Colombia displays stable economic growth amidst a regional slowdown, in large part a result of economic liberalisation, free trade agreements and entry to a variety of trade blocs. After recording 6.6% growth in 2011 and 4% in 2012, Colombia saw a slowdown in the first half of 2013, but the economy regained momentum by the end of the year.
Articles & Analysis | Further afield: Rubber, timber, pepper and cocoa are significant export earners from The Report: Malaysia 2014
While palm oil has come to dominate the Malaysian plantations sector in recent years, the country is also an important producer of a variety of other plantation crops. Indeed, for many years Malaysia has been one of the world’s leading rubber producers, while the country also has significant timber, cocoa, pepper, jathropa, kenaf (similar to...
Articles & Analysis | In pole position: Expanding land under cultivation for the palm oil industry from The Report: Malaysia 2014
Malaysia is a world leader in the production of crude palm oil (CPO) – and in its development not only as a food product, but as an alternative energy source, too. The commodity looks set for a year of higher prices and demand in 2014-15, with Malaysia plantation companies looking to spread acreage ever further afield. The palm oil industry is...
Interviews & Viewpoints | OBG talks to Emir Mavani, Group President & CEO, Felda Global Ventures (FGV) from The Report: Malaysia 2014
As many nations move to comply with greenhouse gas emissions targets, what is being done to promote Malaysian biodiesel?
Articles & Analysis | A key contributor: Boosting efficiency is a major objective for the sector from The Report: Malaysia 2014
Making up two National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) and responsible for around 7% of the country’s GDP, the agriculture and plantations sector continues to be a vital part of Malaysia’s economy – and a major magnet for both domestic and foreign investment. The sector is also a major employer, helping to tackle rural poverty and address urban...
Chapter | Agriculture & Plantations from The Report: Malaysia 2014
A major push to boost efficiency in the agriculture and plantations sectors is under way, with the government allocating some RM6bn ($1.8bn) to the sector in its 2014 budget to support a drive for greater productivity, among other strategies. The bulk of agriculture’s contribution to GDP comes from plantation crops, which accounted for 36.5% of the sector’s value in 2012, followed by rubber (8...