Malaysia's Rubber Products Exports Up 10 Per Cent to US$4.47 Billion , says Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Rubber products exports rose 10 per cent to RM14.2 billion (US$4.47 billion) last year vis-a-vis RM12.9 billion (US$4.06 billion) in 2010, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Bernard Dompok said on Tuesday. Currently, Malaysia is the World's No. 1 exporter of a number of rubber-based medical products such as surgical gloves, catheters and condoms, he told reporters after opening the "One Million Actions" programme to mark World Population Day 2012. The programme is jointly hosted by the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council and the National Population and Family Development Board. The council is an organisation with economic objectives to promote export of quality rubber products, encourages Malaysian condom manufacturers to contribute one million condoms which are designed and made by Malaysians, using local eco-friendly materials as part of good corporate social responsibility. Meanwhile, a condoms manufacturer, Karex Industries Sdn Bhd (Karex) Executive Director Goh Miah Kiat said Malaysians are expected to use 80 million to 90 million condoms this year. "Malaysia is the largest condoms exporter in the world. Last year, RM270 million (US$84.9 million) worth of condoms were exported. We expect to surpass RM300 million (US$94.35 million) this year. Malaysia's competitors are China and Thailand," he said. Ninety-five per cent of Karex's condoms produced in Malaysia are exported while only five per cent are for the domestic market. "As the global demand for condoms continues to rise, Karex is working to double its production capacity in the next three years," he added. -- BERNAMA