MoU on natural rubber signed

BANGKOK, May 14 (TNA) -- The Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAT) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with three organisations on improving natural rubber production and processing so that they could meet international standards. The MoU was signed Friday with the Prince of Songkhla University, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the National Science and Technology Development Agency. RAT Governor Titus Suksa-ard said the MoU would help rubber research and development in Thailand and eventually assist in rubber innovation, processing, testing and the production required by international standards. Chusak Limsakul, president of Prince of Songkhla University, said that his university is well prepared to cooperate in providing rubber knowledge as well as creating skilled personnel to meet demand of industrial operators. Simultaneously, Bavorn Wong-sinudom, vice chairman of FTI, said Thailand in 2015 produced about 4.47 million tonnes of rubber, an increase of 100,000 tonnes from 2014. Local consumption last year was approximately 600,000 tonnes, up 60,000 tonnes from 2014. Exports of rubber in 2015 totaled 3.74 million tonnes, down 30,000 tonnes from the previous year, Mr Bavorn added. (TNA)